I
d
COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS
MEMORIAL COLLECTION
DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
DURHAM. N. C.
PRESENTED BY
W. W. FLOWERS
THE ONLY COPY-RIGHT EDITION.
RIFLE
INFANTRY TACTICS,
REVISED AND IMPROVED
COL. W. J. HARDEE, C. S. ARMY
SECOND EDITION.
Vol. II.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
M0BI1>E:
S. H. GOETZEL & CO.
FIRST YEAR OF THE CONFEUi RACY.
Y.ntcfrA, according to Act of Congrees, in the year 1861, by
S. H. GOETZEL & CO.
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Alabama, for the
Confederate States of America.
77S92
RIFLE AND INFANTRY TACTICS.
TITLE FOURTH.
" SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
Formation of the Battalion.
1. Every colonel will labor to habituate his bat-
talion to form line of battle, by night as well as by
day, with the greatest possible promptitude.
2. The color-company will generally be de.signated
as the directing company. That, as soon as formed,
will be placed on the direction the colonel may have
determined for the line of battle. The otlier compa-
nies will form on it, to the right and left, on the prin-
ciples of successive formations which will be herein
prescribed.
3. The color-bearer may have received the color
from the hands of the colonel ; but if there be day-
light, and time, the color will be produced with due
solemnity.
Composition and march of the color escort.
4. When the battalion turns out under arms and
the color is wanted, a company other than that of
277392
6 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PAPtT L
the color, will be ])ut in march to receive and es-
cort it.
5. The march will be in the following order, in
quick time, and without music ; the field music, fol-
lowed by the band; the escort in column by platoon,
right in front, with arms on the right shoulder, and
the color-bearer between the platoons.
6. Arrived in front of the tent or quarters of the
colonel, the escort will form line, the field music and
band on the right, and arms will be brought to a
shoulder.
7. The moment the escort is in line, the color-bear-
er, preceded by the first lieutenant, and followed by
a sergeant of the escort, will go to receive the color.
8. When the color-bearer shall come out, followed
by the lieutenant and sergeant, he will halt before the
entrance ; the escort will present arn»s, and the field
nmsic will sound to the color.
9. After some twenty seconds, the captain will
cause the sound to cease, arms to be shouldered, and
then break by platoon into column; the color-bearer
will place himself betw-een the platoons, and the lieu-
tenant and sergeant will resume their posts.
10. The escort will march back to the battalion to
the sound of music in quick time, and in the same
order as above, the guide on the right. The march
will be so conducted that when the escort arrives at
one hundred and fifty paces in front of the right of
the battalion, the direction of the march \\\\\ be par-
allel to its front, and when the color arrives nearly
opposite its place in line, the column will change di-
SCHOOL OF TFIE BATTALION— PART I. 7
rection to the left, and the riglit guide will direct
himself on the centre of the battalion.
Honors paid to the color.
11. Arrived at the distance of twenty paces from
the battalion, the escort will halt, and the music
cease; the colonel will place himself six paces before
the centre of the battalion, the color-hearer will ap-
proach the colonel, by the front, in quick time; when
at thf distance often paces, he will halt: the colonel
will cause arms to be presented, and to the color to be
sounded, which being executed, the color-bearer will
take his place in the front rank of the color-guard,
and the battalion, by command, shoulder arms.
12. The escort, field music, and band, will return
in quick time to their several places in line of battle,
marching by the rear of the batt.ilion.
13. The color will be escorted back to the colonel's
tent or quarters in the above order.
General Rules and Division of the School of the
Battalion.
14. This school has for its object the instruction
of batt.ili<Mis singly, and thus to prepare them for
manoeuvres in line. The harmony so indispensable in
the movements of many battalions, can only be at-
tained by the use of the same commands, the same
principles, and the same means of execution. Hence,
all colonel's and actual commanders of battalions will
8 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART L
conform themselves, without addition or curtailment,
to what will herein be prescribed.
15. When a battalion instructed in this drill shall
manoeuvre in line, the c<ilonel will regulate its move-
ments, as prescribed in the third volume of the Tac-
tics for heavy infantry.
16. The school of the battalion will be divided into
five parts.
17. The first will comprehend opening and closing
ranks, and the execution of the ditlerent fires.
18. The second, the different modes of passing from
the order in battle, to the order in column.
19. The third, the march in coliunn, and the other
movements incident thereto.
20. The fourth, the difterent modes of passing from
the order in column to the order in battle.
21. The fifth will comprehend the march in line of
battle, in advance and in retreat; the passage of de-
files in retreat; the march by the flank; the forma-
tion by file into line of battle; the change of fnmt;
the column d(tubled on the centre; dispositions
against cavalry; the rally, and rules for mananivring
bv the rear rank.
SCHOOT. OF TIIK BATTALION— PART I.
PART FIRST.
Opening and closing ranhs, and the execution of the
different fires.
Articlk First.
To open and to close ranks.
22. Tlio colonel, wishing the ranks to be opened,
will command :
1. Prepare to open ranhs.
23. At this command, the. lientenant colonel and
major will place themselves on the right of the bat-
talion, the tirst on the tlaiik of the file closers, and
the second four paces from the front rank of the bat-
talion.
2.4. These dispositions being made, the colonel will
command :
2. To the rear, open order. 3. MARCH.
25. At the second command, the C(»vering ser-
geants, and the sergeant on the left of the battalion,
will place themselves foJir paces in rear of the front
rank, and oj)posite their ])laces in line of battle, in
order to mark the new alignment of the rear rank;
the)' will b'' aligned b.v the major on the left sergeant
of the battalion, who will be careful to place himself
10 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART L
exactly four paces in rear of the front rank, and to
hold his piece between the eyes, erect and inverted,
the better to indicate to the major the direction to be
given to the covering sergeants.
26. At the command march, the rear rank and the
file closers will step to the rear withont counting
steps; the men will pass a little in rear of the line
traced for this rank, halt, and dress forward on the
covering sergeants, who will align correctly the men
of their respective companies.
27. The file closers will fall back and preserve the
distance of two paces from the rear rank, glancing
eyes to the right; the lieutenant colonel will, from
the right, align them on the file closer of the left,
W'ho, having placed himself accurately two paces from
the rear rank, will invert his piece, and hold it up
erect between his eyes, the better to be seen by the
lieutenant colonel.
28. The colonel, seeing the ranks aligned, will com-
mand :
4. Front.
At this command, the lieutenant colonel, major,
and the left sergeant, will retake their places in line
of battle.
20. The colonel will cause the ranks to be closed
by the commands prescribed for the instructor in the
school of the comjjany, No. 28.
scfiool of the battalion— part i. 11
Article Second.
Manual of Arms.
30. The ranks ho'iufr closod, the colonel will cause
the following times and pauses to be executed :
Present arms. Shoulder arms.
Order arms. Shoulder arms.
Support arms. Shoulder arms.
Fix bayonet. Shoulder arms.
Charge bayonet. Shoulder arms.
VnJxT bayonet. Shoulder arms.
Article Third.
Loading at tcill, and the Firings.
31. The colonel will next cause to be executed
loading at will, by the commands prescribed in the
school of the company No, 45; the officers and ser-
geants in the ranks will half face to the right with
the men at the eighth time of loading, and will face
to the fr(»nt when the men next to them come to a
shoulder.
32. The colonel will cause to be executed the fire by
company, the fire by wing, the fire by battalion, the
fire by file, and the fire by rank, by the commands to
be herein indicated.
33. The fire by company and the fire by file will
12 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART L
always be direct; the fire by battalion, the fire by
\vin<j, and the fire by rank, may be either direct or
oblique.
'M. When the fire ought to be oblicjue, the colonel
will give, at every round, the caution right for left)
oblique, between the connnands ready and aim.
35. The fire by company will be executed alter-
nately by the right and left companies ot" each divi-
sion, as if the division were alone. The right com-
pany will fire first; the captain of the left will not give
his first command till he shall see one or two pieces
at a ready in the right comi)any ; the captain of the
latter, after the first discharge, will observe the same
rule in respect to the left company; and the fire will
thus be continued alternately.
3G. The colonel will observe the same rule in the
firing by wing.
37. The fire by file will commence in all the com-
panies at one, and will be executed as has been i)re-
scribed in the school of the company No. 55 and fol-
lowing. The fire by rank will be executed by each
rank alternately, as has been prescribed in the
school of the company No. 58 and following.
38. The color-guard will not fire, but reserve itself
for the defence of the color.
The fire hj company.
39. The cohmel, wishing the fire by comi)any to be
executed, will command :
1. Fire by company. 2. Commence firing.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART L 13
40. At the first conimaiul, the captains and cover-
ing sergeants will take the positions indicated in the
school of the company No. 49.
41. The color and its gnard will step back at the
same time, so as to bring Ui<* front rank (»f the gnard
in a line with the rear rank of the battalion. This
rule is general for all the different firings.
42. At the second command, the odd numbered
companies will C(»mmence to fire ; their captains will
each give the commands prescribed in the school of
the company No. 50, observing to precede the com-
mand company by that of first, third, fifth, or seventh,
according to the nmuber of each.
43. The captains of the even numbered com-
panies will give, in their turn, the same commands,
observing to precede them by the number of their
respective companies.
44. In order that the odd numbered companies may
not all fire at once, their captains will observe, but
only for the first discharge, to give the command fire
one after another ; thus, the captain of the third
company will not give the command ^rc until he has
heard the fire of the first company ; the captain of
the fifth will observe the same rule with respect to
the third, and the captain of the seventh the same
rule with respect to the fifth.
45. The colonel will cause the fire to cease by the
sound to cease firing; at this sound, the men will
execute what is prescribed in the school of the com-
pany No. 63; at the sound, for officers to take their
places aft^er firing, the captains, covering sergeants >
14 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART I.
and color-guard, will promptly resume their places in
line of battle: this rule is general for all the firings.
The fire by wing.
46. When the colonel shall wish this fire to be
executed, he will command:
1 . lire by icing. 2. Right icing. 3. Ready.
4. Alm. 5. Fire. 6. Load.
47. The colonel will cause the wings to fire alter-
nately, and he will recommence the fire by the com-
mands, 1. Right icing; 2. AiM ; 3. FiRE ; 4. Load.
1. Left icing ; 2. AiM ; 3. FiRE; 4. Load; in con-
forming to what is prescribed No. 35.
The fire by battalion.
48. The colonel will cause this fire to be executed
by the commands last prescribed, substituting for
the first two, L Fire by battalion; 2. Battalion.
The fire by file.
49. To cause this to be executed, the colonel will
command :
1. Fire by file. 2. Battalion. 3. Ready.
4. Commence firing.
50. At the fourth command, the fire will commence
SCHOOL OF TIIK BATTALION— PART L 15
Oil the right of each company, as prescribed in the
school of the company No. 57. The colonel may, if
be thinks proper, cause the fire to commence on the
right of each platoon.
The fire by rank.
51. To cause this fire to be executed, the colonel
will command :
1. Fire by rank. 2. Battalion. 3. Ready. 4. Rear
rank. 5. AiM. 6. FiRE. 7. Load.
.52. This fire will be executed as has been exo
plained in the school of the company No. 59, in fol-
lowing the pnigression prescribed for the two ranks
which should fire alternately.
To fire by the rear rank.
53. When the colonel shall wish the battalion to
fire to the rear, he will command :
]. Face by the rear rank. 2. Battalion.
3. About— Fac^.
54. At the first command, the captains, covering
sergeants, and file closers will execute what has
been prescribed in the school of the company No.
69; the color-bearer will pass into the rear rank, and
for this purpose, the corporal of his file will step be-
16 tfCIlOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART I.
fore the corpiinil next on his right to let the color-
bearer pass, and will then take his place in the front
rank ; the lieutenant colonel, adjutant, major, ser-
geant major, ami the nmwc will place themselves be-
fore the front rank, and face to the rear, each oppo-
site his place in the line of battle — the first two pass-
ing around the right, and the others around the left
of the battalion.
55. At the thii-d C(»nnnand, the battalion will face
about; tlu^ ca[)tains and coverintf serg<'ants obseiT-
ing what is prescribed in the sehixd of the c(>mpany
No. 70.
56. The battalion facing thus by the rear rank, the
colonel will cause it to execute the diiferent fires by
the same commands as if it were faced by the front
rank.
57. The right and left wings will retain the same
designati<»ns, although faced about; the companies
also will preserve their former designations, as Jirst,
second, third, 6cc.
58. The fire by file will commence on the left of
each company, luiw become the right.
59. The fire by rank will commence by the front
rank, now become the rear rank. This rank will
preserve its denomination.
60. The captains, covering sergeants, and color-
guard will, at the first command given by the co-
lonel, take the places prescribed for them in the fires,
with the front rank leading.
61. The colonel, after firing to the rear, wishing to
face the battalion to its proper front, will cmnmaiul :
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART L 17
1. Face by the front rank. S. Battalion. 3. About —
Face.
G'2. At these commands, the battalion will return
t(i its proper fnmt by the means prescribed Nos. 54
and 55.
G3. The fire by file being that most used in war,
the colonel will give it the preference in the prepara-
tory exercises, in order that the battalion may be
brought to execute it with the greatest possible re-
gularity.
64. When the colonel may wish to give some re-
laxation to the battalion, without breaking the ranks,
he will execute what has been prescribed in the
school of the company Nos. 37 and 38 or Nos. 39
and 40.
65. "When the colonel shall wish to cause arms to
be stacked, he will bring the battalion to ordered
arms, and then command :
]. Stack— Arms. 2. Break ranks. 3. March.
66. The colonel wishing the men to return to the
ranks, will cause attention to be sounded, at which
the battalion will re-form behind the stacks of
arms The sound being finished, the colonel after
causing the stacks to be broken, will command :
Battalion.
18 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART 11.
67. At this command, the men will fix their atten-
tion, and remain immovabie.
PART SECOND.
Different modes of passing from the order in battle to
the order in column.
Article First.
To break to the right or the left into column.
68. Lines of battle will habitually break into
column by company ; they may also break by division
or by platoon.
69. It is here supposed that the colonel wishes to
break by comi)any to the right ; he will command :
1. By company, right ichcel. 2. Marcji (or double
quick — March).
70. At the first command, each cjiptain will place
himself rapidly before the centre of his company, and
caution it that it has to wheel to the right ; each cov-
ering sergeant will re-place his captain in the front
rank.
71. At the command march, each company will
break to the right, according to the principles pre-
scribed in the school of the company No. 173; each
captain will conform himself to what is prescribed
f A l1;«' chiefs of platoon; the left guide, as soon as
he can pass, will phice himself on the left of the
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART II. 19
front rank to conduct the marching flank, and when
be shall have approached near to the perpendicular,
the captain will command: 1. Such company. 2.
Halt.
72. At the second command, which will be given
at the instant the left guide shall be at the distance
of three paces from the perpendicular, the company
will halt ; the guide will advance and place his left
arm lightly against the breast of the captain, who
will establish him on the alignment ofthemanwho
has faced to the right ; the covering sergeant will
place himself correctly on the alignment on the
right of that man; which being executed, the captain
will align his c(»mpany by the left, command Front,
and place himself two paces before its centre.
7.3. The captains having commanded Front, the
guides, although some of them may not be in the di-
rection of the preceding guides, will stand fast, in
order that the error of a company that has wheeled
too much or t(»o little may not be propagated ; the
guides not in the direction will readily come into it
when the column is put in march.
74. A battalion in line of battle will break into
column by company to the left, according to the same
princij)les, and by inverse means; the covering ser-
geant of each company will conduct the marching
flank, and the left guid'e will place himself on the left
of the front rank at the moment the company halts.
75. When the battalion breaks by division, the in-
dication (/ivisioti will be substituted in the commands
for that oi' company ; the chief of each division (the
senior captain) will conform himself to what is pre-
20 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IL
scribed for the chief of company, and will place him-
self two paces before the centre of his division ; the
junior captain, if not already there, will place him-
self in the interval between the two companies in
the front rank, and be covered by the covering ser-
geant of the left company in the rear rank. The
right guide of the right company will be the right
guide, and the left guide of the left company, the left
guide of the division.
76. When the battalion shall break by platoon to
the right or to the left, each first lieutenant will pass
around the left of his company to place himself in
front of the second phitoon, and for this purpose each
covering sergeant, except the one of the right com-
pany, will step, for the moment, in rear of the right
file of his company,
77. When the battalion breaks by division to the
right, and there is an odd company, the captnin of
this company, (the left), after wheeling into column,
will cause it to oblique to the left, halt it at company
distance from the preceding division, place his left
guide on the direction of the column, and then align
his company by the left. When the line breaks by
division to the left, the odd company will be in front ;
its captain, having wheeled it into column, will cause
it to oblique to the right, halt it at division distance
from the division next in the rear, place his right
guide on the direction of the other guides, and align
the company by the right.
78. The battalion being in column, the lieutemant
colonel and major will place themselves on the di-
recting flank, the first abreast with the leading sub-
SBHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART II. 21
division, and the other abreast with the hist, and
both six paces from the flank. The adjutant will be
near the lieutenant colonel, and the sergeant major
near the major.
70. The colonel will have no fixed place as the tn-
s<r«f^or of his battalion ; but in columns composed of
many battalions, he will place himself habitually on
the directing flank fifteen or twenty paces from the
guides, and abreast with the centre of his battalion.
80. When the colonel shall wish to move the
column forward without halting it, he will caution the
battalion to that effect, and command :
1. By company right tchecl. 2. M.\RCH (or double
quick — March j.
81. At the first command, the captains of the com-
panies will execute what is prescribed for breaking
into column from a halt.
82. At the second command, they will remain in
front of their companies to superintend the move-
ment ; the companies will wheel to the right on fixed
pivots as indicated in the school of the company No.
185 ; the left guides will conform to what is prescribed
above ; when they shall arrive near the perpendi-
cular, the colonel will command :
3. Forward. 4. M\RCn. 5. Guide left.
83. At the third command, each covering sergeant
will place himself by the right side of the man on
22 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IL
the right of the front rank of his conipnnj-. At the
ft>urth ooinmiuul, which will he given at the instant
the wheel is cjunpleted, the companies will cease to
wheel and march straight forward. At the fifth, the
men will take the tonch of elbows to the left. The
leading guide will inarch in the direction indicated to
him hy the lieutenant colonel. The guides will im-
mediately conf(»rm themselves to the principles of the
march in column, school of the company. No. 200 and
foUoW'ing.
84. If the battalion be marching in line of battle,
the colonel will cause it to wheel to the right or left,
by the same ccmimands and the same means ; but he
should previously caution the battalion that it is to
continue the uiarch.
85. A battalion in line of battle will break into
column by company to the left, according to the same
principles and by inverse means ; the covering ser-
geant of each company wmII conduct the marching
flank, and the left guides will place themselves on the
left of their respective companies at the command
fonrard.
86. When a battalion has to prolong itself in column
tow^ards the right or left, or has to direct its march
in column perj)endicularly or diag(nially in front, or
in rear of either flank, the colonel will cause it to
break by company to the right or left, as has just
been prescribed ; but when the line breaks to the
right, in order to march towards the left, or the re-
verse, the colonel will command : Break to the right
to march to the left, or break to the left to march to the
right, before giving the c(mimand, by compaiuj, right
(or left) wheel. As soon as the battalion is broken,
the lieutenant colonel w-ill place a marker abreaat with
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART II 23
the right j^uido of the leading company. The inst^iut
the eoliirnn is put in motion, this company will wheel
to the left (<tr right) march ten paces to the front
without changing the guide, and wheel again to the
left ((»r right j The second wh«'el being comi)leted,
the captain will immediately command guide left (or
rifr/it.) The guide of this company will march in a
direction parallel to the guides of the column. The
lieutenant colonel will be careful to place a second
marker at the point where the first company is to
change direction the second time.
Article Second.
To break to the rear, hy the right or left, into
column, and to advance or retire by the right or
left of companies.
87. When the colonel shall wish to cause the bat-
talion to break to the rear, by the right, into column
by company, he will command :
1. By the right of companies to the rear into column.
2. Battalion right — FACE. 3. MARCH for double
quick — M\RCh;.
>^. At the first command, each captain will place
himself before the centre (»f his company, and cau-
ti<tn it to face to the right ; the covering sergeants
will step into the front rank.
24 SCHOOL OF THE HATTAMON— PART H.
89. At tbe second coniniand, the battalion will face
to the right ; each caj)tain will hasten to the right of
his ccnnpany, and break two files to the rear; the first
file will break the whole depth of the two ranks ; the
second file less ; which being executed, the captain
will place himself so that his breast may touch light
ly the left arm of the front rank man of the last file
iu the company next on the right of his own. The
captain of the right company will place himself as if
there were a company on his right, and will align
himself on the other captains. The covering sergeant
of each company will break to the rear with the right
files, and place himself before the front rank of the
first file, to conduct him.
90. At the command march, the first file of each
company will wheel to the right ; the covering ser-
geant, placed before this file, will conduct it perpen-
dicularly to the rear. The other files will come suc-
cessively to wheel on the same spot. The captains
will stand fast, see their ciuupanies file past, and at
the instant the last file shall have wheeled, each cap-
tain will command :
1. Such company. 2. Halt. 3. FiiOXT. 4. Left —
Dress.
91. At the instant the company faces to the front,
its left guide will place himself so that his left arm
may touch lightly the breast of his captain.
92. At the fourth command, the company will align
itself on its left guide, the captain so directing it,
SCHOOL UK THE BATTALION— PART IL 25
that the new alignment may be perpendicular to that
which the company had occupied in line (»f battle,
and, the better to judge this, he will step back two
paces from the flank.
93. The company being aligned, the captain will
command: FRONT, and take his place befor% its
centre.
1)4. The battalion marching in line of battle, when
the coh)nel shall wish to break into column by com-
pany, to the rear, by the right, he will command :
1. Bif the riirht of companies to the rear into column.
2.' Battalion, by the right flank. 3. MarCII for
double quick— MmiCH).
95. At the first command, each captain will step
briskly in front of the centre of his company, and
caution it to face by the right flank.
96. At the command march, the battalion will face
to the right ; each captain will move rapidly to the
right of his company and cause it to break to the
right; the first file of each company will wheel to
the right, and the covering sergeant placed in front
of this file will conduct it perpendicularly to the rear;
the other files will wheel successively at the same
place as the first. The captains will see their com-
panies file past them ; when the last files have wheel-
ed, the colonel will command :
3. Battalion, by the left flank— ^IaRCH.
4. Guide Uft.
23 SCHOOL ON THI-: BATTALION— PART IL
97. At tlip coimnand march, the companies will
face to the left, and inarch in cctlnmn in the new di-
rection. The caj)tains will place themselves in front of
the centres of their resnective companies. At the
fourth command, the guides will conform to the prin-
ciples of the march in column ; the leading one will
move in the direction indicated to him by the lieu-
tenant colonel. The men will take the touch of el-
bows to the left.
98. To break to the rear by the left, the colonel
will give the same commands as in the case (»f break-
ing to the rear by the right, substituting the indica-
tion left for that of right.
99. The movement will be executed according to
the same principles. Each captain will hasten to the
left of his comyjany, cause the first two files to break
to the rear, and then place his breast against the right
file of the company next on the left of his own, in the
manner prescribed above.
100. As soon as the two files break to the rear, the
left guide ()f each company will place himself before
the front rank man of the headmost file, to conduct
him.
101. The instant the companies face to the front,
the right guide of each will place himself so that his
right arm nuiy lightly touch the breast of his captain.
102. The battalion may be broken by division to
the rear, by the right or left, in like manner; in this
case, the indication divisions will be substituted, in
the first command, for that of companies; the chiefs
of division will conform themselves to what is pre-
scribed for the chiefs of company. The junior cap-
tain in each division will place himself, when the di-
PCIIOOL OF THE HATTALI' N— PART II. 27
vision faces to a flank, by tlie side of tin- covering ser-
geant of the left company, who steps into tlie front
rank.
103. If tliere be an odd number of c(»mpanies, and
the battalion l)reaks by division to the rear, whether
by the right or left, the captain of the left company
will conform to what is prescribed No. 77.
104. This manner of breaking into column being at
once the most ])ronipt and regular, will be preferred
on actual service, unless there be some particular
reason fttr breaking to the front.
105. If the battalion be in line and at a halt, and
the colonel should wish to advance or retire by the
right of companies, he will command:
1. By the right of companies to the front (or rear).
2. Battalion, right— Face. 3, March (or double
quick — March). 4. Guide right (left) or cen-
tre.)
106. At the first command, each captain will move
rapidly two paces in front of the centre of his com-
pany, and caution it to face to the right; the cover-
ing sergeants will replace the captains in the front
rank.
107. At the second command, the battalion will
face to the right, and each captain moving quickly
to the right of his company will cause files to break
to the front, according to the principles indicated
No. 89.
108. At the command march, each captain placing
himself on the left of his leading guide will conduct
his company perpendicularly to the original line. At
28 SCUJOL OF THE BATTALION— PART II.
the fourth cominHnd, the guide of each company will
dress to the right, left, or centre, according to the in-
dication given, taking care to preserve accurately his
distance.
109. If the colonel should v^'ish to move to the
front, or rear, by the left of companies, the move-
ment will be executed by the same means and the
same commands, substituting left for right.
110. If the battalion be in march, and the colonel
should wish to advance or retire by the right of com-
panies, he will command :
I. By the right of companies to the front (or rear)
2. Battalion, by the right flank. 3. MARCH (or
double quick — MauCH). 4. Guide right {left) or
(centre).
111. Which will be executed according to the
principles and means prescribed Nos. 95 and follow-
ing, and lOG and following. At the first command,
the C(dor and general guides will take their places as
in column.
112. If the colonel should wish to advance or re
tire by the left of companies, the movement will be
executed by the same means and the same com-
mands, substituting left for right.
113. If the battalion be advancing by the right or
left of companies, and the colonel should wish to
form line to the front, he will command :
1. By companies into line. 2. Mauch (or double
quick — March). 3. Guide centre.
SCHOOL OF THE RATTALI N— PART H. 29
114. At the conimnnd viarch, briskly repeated by
the cai)t}iins, each conipany will be formed into line,
as prescribed in the school of the compaDy, No. 154.
115. At the third coniniand, the color and general
guides will move rapidly to their places in line,
as will be hereinafter prescribed No. 405.
116 If the battalion be retiring by the right or
left of comjiauies, and the c<donel shoJild wish to
form line facing the enemy, he will first cause the
companies to face about while marching, and imme-
diately form in line by the commands and means pre-
scribed Nos. 113 and following.
Article Third.
To ploy the battalion into dose column.
117. This movement may be executed by company
or by division, on the right or left subdivision, or on
any other subdivision, right or left in front.
118. The examples in this scho(d will suppose the
presence of four divisions, with directions for an odd
company; but what will be prescribed for four, will
serve equally for two, three or five divisions.
110. To ploy the battalion into close column by
division in rear of the first, the colonel will command:
30 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART H.
1. Close column, hy dirision. 2. On the Jirst dici-
sion, right in front. 3. Battalion, right — Fack.
4. March (or double quick— }^1\rcu).
120. At the second command, all the chiefs of
division will place themselves before the centres of
their divisions; the chief of the first will cantion it
to stand fast; the chiefs of the three t»thers will re-
mind them that they will have to face to the right, and
the cdveriiig sergt'ant of the right Cdmjjany of each
division will replace his captain in the front rank, as
soon as the latter steps out.
121. At the third connnand, the last three divi-
sions will face to the right; the chief of each division
will hasten to its right, and cause files t(» be broken
to the rear, as ijidicated No. iid; the right guide will
break at the same time, and place himself before the
front rank man of the first file, to conduct him, and
each chief of division will place himself by the side
of this guide.
122. The moment these divisions face to the
right, the junior captain in each will place himself on
the left of the covering sergeant of the left company,
who will place himself in the tnmt rank. This rule
is general for all the ploymcnts by division.
123. At the command march, the chief of the first
division will add, guide left ; at this, its left guide
will place himself on its left, as soon as the move-
ment of the second divisicm may permit, and the file
closers will advance one pace upon the rear rank.
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124. All the other divisions, each conducted by its
chief, will step off together, to tnlie their places in
the column; the second will gjiin, in wheeling by
file to the rear, the space of six paces, w hich ought
to separate its guide from the guide of the first di-
vision, and so direct its march as to enter the column
on a line paral]«'l to this division ; the third and fourth
divisions will direct themselves diagonally towards,
but a little in rear of, the points at which they ought,
respectively, to enter the column ; at six paces from
the left flank of the column, the head of each of these
divisions will incline a little to the left, in order to
enter the column as has just been prescribed for the
seccuid, taking care also to leave the distance of six
paces between its guide and the guide <tf the pre-
ceding divisicui. At the moment the divisicuis put
themselves in march to enter the c<dumn, the file
cbtsers of each will incline to the left, so as to bring
tlu-niselves to the distance tif a pace from the rear
rank.
125. Each chief of these three divisions will con-
duct his division till he shall be up with the guide of
the directing one; the chief will then himself halt,
see his division file past, and halt it the instant the
last file shall have passed, commanding: 1. Such di-
vision; 2. Halt; :5. Front: 4. Left — Dkess.
126. At the second command, the division will halt;
the left guide will place himself jnomptly on the di-
rection, six paces from the guide \\ Inch precedes bin),
in order that, the column being formed, the divisions
may be separated ihe distance ol' four paces.
32 SCHOOL (IF THE BATTALION— PART IL
127. At the third command, the division will face
to the front; at the fourth, it will be aligned by its
chief, who will i)liic(! himself two yiu-va outside of his
guide, and direct the alignment so that his division
may be parallel to that which precedes — which being
done, he \\\\\ command. Front and place himself
before the centre of his division.
123. If any division, after the c<muiiand//-o«^ be
not at its proper distance, and this can only happen
through the negligence of its chief, such division will
remain in its place, iu order that the fault may not be
propagated.
129. The colonel will superintend the execution of
the movement, and cause the prescribed principles to
be observed.
130. The Lieutenant colonel, placing himself in suc-
cession in rear of the left guides, will assure them ou
the direction as they arrive, and then move to his
place outside of the left flank of the column six paces
from, and abreast with, the first division. In as-
suring the guides on the direction, he will be a mere
observer, unless one or more should fail to cover ex-
actly the guide or guides already established. This
rule is general.
131. The major will follow the movement abreast
with the left of the fourth division, and afterwards
take his position outside of the left flank of the col-
umn, six paces from, and abreast with, this division.
132. To ploy the battalion in front of the first divi-
sion, the C(donel will give the same commands, sub-
stituting the indication left for that of right in front.
tiCIIouL OF THE 15ATTALKN— PART II. 33
133. At the srcdiul niid third coiiiniaiuls, tin* chiefs
of division Hiid the junior cajitains \\ ill conform theni-
selves to what is prescribed, Nos. 1*20, 121, 1*22; \mt
the chiefs (d' the last three (livisions, instead of caus-
ing the first two files to break to the rear, will caupe
them to break to the front.
134. At the fourth cianniand, the chief of th(! first
divisi(»n will add : (tuide right.
r'.ri. The three other divisions w ill step off together
t<» take thfir places in the C(dnnin in front (»f the di-
recting division ; each will direct itstdf as ])rescribed,
N<> 1*24, and will enter in such manner that, when
halted, its guide may find himself six paces from the
guide of the division next previously established in
the C(dunin.
13C. Each chief of these divisions will conduct his
division, till his right guide shall be nearly up with
the guide of the directing one; lie will then halt his
divisicui, and cause it to face to the front; at the in-
stant it halts, its right guide will (ace to the rear,
place himself six i)aces from the preceding guide,
and cover him exactly — which being done, the chief
will align his division by the right.
]'A7. The lieutenant colonel, placed in front of the
right guide of the first division, will assure the guides
on the direction as the\ successively arrive, and then
move outside of the right flank <»f the cidumn, to a
])oint six paces fr<tm, and abreast vvilh, the fourth di-
vision, now in front.
138. The major will conform himself to what is
prescribed, ^o. 131, and tlun move < utside of the
right flank ol the column, six paces from, and abreast
with, the first division, now in the r« ar.
.14 sen >"L <iF THE HATTALI N-PART II.
]:V.y Tlic iiiovt'iiu'iit bciiif; oiidcd, tl;*' Cdlmiel will
coiiiiiiiiiitl :
(iiiidcs, about — Fack.
14<». At this, tlie guides, \\\u) are faced to tiie rear,
will face to the front.
141. To ploy the battalion in rear, or in front of the
fourth division, the colonel will command :
I. Close column by dicision. 2. On the fourth dici-
rision, left (or right) in front. 8. Battalion, left —
Fack. 4. March (or double quirk— yi.MiCu).
142. These movements will be executed according
to the i)rinci|)les of those which precede, but by in-
verse ni«'ans: the fourth division on which the bat-
talion ]>lo}s will stand fast; the instant the nntvement
commences, its chief will connnand, truidc right [or
leftl
14".^. The fon'^oinfj examples embrace all the prin-
ciples: thus, when the c<doiiel shall wish to phty the
battalion on an interior division, he will command:
1. (lose column by division. 2. On such dicision,
right (or left in front. I?. Battalion imcards —
Fact,. 4. Maiich (or double quick — March).
114. The instant the movement commences, the
chief of the directing division will counnand, guide
lift {ov right).
145. The divisioTis which, in the order in battle,
SCH ' L ('F THE BATTALI'N— PART II. .'15
are to the right of the directing division, will face to
the left; those which are to the left, will face to the
right.
146. If the right is to be in front, the right divi-
sions will ploy in front of the directing division, and
the left in its rear; the reverse, if the left is to be in
front. And in all the foregoing suppositions, the di-
vision or divisions c<tntigtions to the directing one, in
wheeling by file to the fr<)nt or rear, will gain the
space of six i)aees, which ought to separate their
guides from the guide of the directing division,
147. lu all the ploynients on an interior division,
the lieutenant colonel will assure the positions of the
guides in front, and the major those in the rear of the
directing division.
148. If the battalion be in march, instead of at a
halt, the movement will be executed by combining
the two gaits of quick and diuible quick time, and al-
ways in rear of one of the flank divisions.
149. The battalion being in march, to ploy it in rear
of the first division, the colonel will command:
1. Close column by diiision. 2. On the first division.
3. Battalion — by the right flank. 4. Double quick
—March.
150. At the second command, each chief of division
will move rapidly before the centre of his division
and caution it to face t(» the right.
151. The chief of the first division will caution ife
to continue to march to the front^ and he will com-
mand: Quick march.
36 SCH'X L OF THE BATTALION-PART II.
152. At the coniniiiiul inarch, tlio chiof of the first
division will coiuiiuiiul : (hiidc left. At this, the left
guitk' will m(»ve to the Irft fijiiik of the division and
direct himself on the j)oiiit indicated.
153. The three other divisions -will face to the right
and move oif in double quick time, breaking to the
riglit to take their jtlaces in column ; each chief of
division will nM)ve rapidly to the right of his division
in order to conduct it. The files will be careful to
preserve their distances, and to march with a uniform
and decided step. The ctdor-bearer and general
guides will retake their places in the ranks
154. The second division Avill immediately enter
the C(dumn, marching paralk'l to the first division;
its chief will allow it to file past him, and when the
last file is abreast of him, will c«imnuind : 1. Second
division, hy the left flank — March 2. Guide left,
and place himself in front of the centre of his divi-
sion.
155. At the command march, the division will face
to the left; at the second command, the left guide
will march in the trace of the left guide of the first
division ; the men will take the toucli of elbows to
the left. When the second division has closed to its
proper distance, its chief will conmiand: Qiiicli time
— March. This division will then change its step to
quick time.
156. The chiefs of the third and fourth divisions
will «'xecute their nu)vements according to the same
principles, taking care to gain as much ground as
possible towards the head of the column.
157. If the battalion had been previously marching
in line at double quick tinu', when the fourth division
3CEIOOL OF TIIK BATTALION— PART 111. 37
shall have gained its distanco, tlio colonel will eom-
raaiul : Douhlr quick — MARCH.
158. In tliis movement, the lieutenant colonel will
move rapidly t(» the side of the leading guide, give
him a point of direction, and then follow the move-
ments of the first division. The ni;ijor will follow
the movement abreast with the left oi" the fourth di-
Rcmarlis on ploying the battalion into column.
150. The battalion may be ployed into c<dumn at
full, or half distance, on the same principles, and by
the same commands, substituting for the first com-
mand: Column at full (or half) distance by division.
160. In the ployments and movements in column,
when the subdivisions execute the movements suc-
cessively, such as — to take or close distances ; to
change direction by the flank of subdivisions, each
chief of subdivision will cause his men to support
arms after having aligned it and commanded, Front.
PART THIRD.
Article First.
To inarch in column at full distance.
161. When the colonel shall wish to put the col-
umn in march, he will indicate to the leading guide
two distinct (tbjects in front, on the line which the
guide ought to follow. This guide will immediately
3« .SCHOOL OF THE HATTAl.ION— I'AIIT IM.
put bis shoulders in a 8(]U!ire \\itb tlint line, take the
more distant ol)jeet as the point of direction, and
the nearer one as the intermediate point.
162. If only a sinsle prominent object present itself
in the direction the guide has to follow, he will face
to it as before, and immedi;itely endeavor to catch on
the ground some intermediate ])oint, by which to
give steadiness to his march on the point of direction.
103. There being no ])rominent object to serve as
the i)(»int of direction, the citlonel will dispatch the
lieutenant c(»lonel (»r adjutant to place himself forty
paces in advance, facing the column, and by a sign of
the sword establish him on the direction he may wish
to give to the leading guide; that officer being thus
placed, this guide will take him as the point oi direc-
tion, conforming himself to what is prescribed in the
school of the company. No. 87.
164. These dispositions being mad<', the colonel
will c<Mnmand:
1. Ci'lnmn fonrnrd. 2. Guide left (oYri'^ht). 3.
Maiu:h (or double quick— MaRCU).
105. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the chiefs of sulxlivision, the column will i)ut itsell'in
march, conforming to what is prescribed in the
school of the conii)any No. '200 and lollowing.
100. The leading guide may always maintain him-
self correctly on the direction by keeping steadily in
view the two ])oints indicated to bin), or chosen by
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SCIIOOI- OF TIIK BATTALION— PART III. 33
liimsclf; if th«*se jxtints havci ji certain ol«'Viition, he
iiiiiy b«* iissuivd he, in on the tni direction, \\ L»mi the
nciiivr masks tho nv>ro distant point.
]()7. Tlio folWtwing yuidcs will proservt' \\itli ex-
actness both step and (listaiMM^ ; each will inarch in
the trace of th(^ guide who ijimiediately precedes
bim, without occupying himself with the general di-
rection.
]C)!^. The lieutenant colonel will hold himself, ha-
bitually, abreast with the leading guide, to sec that
he diK's not deviat<' from the direction, and will (»b-
serve, also, that the next guide inarches exactly in
the trace of the first.
109. The major will generally be abreast with the
last subdivision; he will see that each guide marehcB
exactly in the trace (»f the one immediately preced-
ing; if either deviate trom the direction, the major
will pr«»m])tly rectify the ernu', and prevejit its being
propagated: but he need not interf<M"e, in this way,
unless the deviation has become sensible, or material.
170 The column being in march, the colonel will
frci^uently cause the about to be executed while
marching: to this effect, he will command :
1. Battalion, right about. 2 MARCH. 3. Guide
right.
171. At the second command, the companies will
fice to the riglit about, and the column will then
march forwanl in an opposite^ direction; the chiefsof
6ubdivisi(»n w ill remain behind the front rank, the file
40 SCriOOL OF TllK RATTALION— PART III.
closers in front of the rear rank, and the pruides will
place themselves in the same rank. The lieutenant
colonel will remain abreast of the first division, now
in rear ; the major will give a ]ioint <»f direction to
the leading guide, and march abreast of him.
J72. The colonel will hold himself habitually on
the directing flank ; he \Nill look to tlie step and to
the distances, and see that all the princijjles prescrib-
ed for the march in column, school vi' the company,
are observed.
173. These means, which the practice in that
8cho(d ought to have rendered familiar, will give suf-
ficient exactness to the direction of the ccdumn, and
also enable it to i'm-m forward or faced the rear, on the
right, or on the left, into line of battle, and to close in
mass.
174. But when a column, arriving in front, or in
rear of the line of battle, or, rather, on one of the
extremities of that line, has to ])rolong itself on it, in
order to form to the left or to the right into line of bat-
tle, then, as it is essential, to prevent the column
from cutting the line, or sensibly deviating from it,
other means, as follows, will be employed.
The column arriving in front of the line of battle, to
prolong it on this line.
175. If the column right in front arrive in front of
the line of battle, as it should cross it and find itself
four paces beyond it after having changed direction,
the colonel will cause to be jdaced, in advance, a
marker on the line to indicate the point at which the
SCHOOL OF TIIH RATTAMON— PAItT III. 41
column oupht to cross it, find anotbcr miirkor to indi-
cate the point where thi; tirst subdivision shduhl com-
mence to wheel; he will he so placed that when the
wheel is executed, the h'f> ^Miide will find hiins<'lf f(»nr
paces within tho line of battle. The chief of the
leading subdivision, when the head of the colunni
ghall have arrived lu^ar the line, will take the guide
to the right, and this guide will immediately direct
himself on the sectuid marker. On arriving abreast
of him, this subdivision will be wheeled to the left,
and when the wheel is completed, the guide will be
clianged again to the left; this guide will then march
parallel to the line of battle by the means to be here-
inafter iudicated.
176. The instant the first subdivision wheels, the
right genoral guide, who, by a caution from the lieu-
tenant C(»lonel, will before have placed himself on the
line of battle at the point where the column crosses
it, and who will have faced to the two points of di-
rection in his front, indicated by the colonel, will
march forward correctly on the prolongation of those
points.
177. The color-bearer will place himself in like
manner <»n the line of battle; and, at the instant the
color subdivision wheels, he will i)rolong his march
on that line, abreast with this subdivisi(ui, taking care
to carry the color-lance before the centre of his per-
son, and to maintain himself exactly in the direction
of the general guide who precedes him, and the point
of dirt'ctiou in front which will have been indicated
to him.
178. Finally, the left general guide will place him-
self in the sauie manner on the line of battle ; and,
42 SCHOOL OF THE BAITALION— PART HI.
at tbe instant the last subdivision of the battalion
wheels, he will march correctly in the direction of
the color-bearer, and the other general guide.
179. The guide of the first subdivision will march
steadily abreast with the right general guide, and
about four jiaccs to his right; each of the guides of
the following subdivisidiis will march in the trace of
the guide who immediately precedes Lim, as pre-
scribed, No. 167.
180. The c(»lonel, ])laced outside of the general
guides, will see thiit the c(»lumn marches nearly par-
allel to, and about four paces within these guides.
181. The lieutenant colonel and major will lo()k to
the direction <»f the geneial guides, and to this end,
place themselves souietimes in rear of the cohu'-bear-
er, or the left general guide.
182. If the column be composed of several l)attal-
ions, the general guides of each will successively
place themselves on the line of battle to prolong their
march on this line, as the leading subdivision, that of
the col(»r, aiul the one in the rear of their battalion,
shall wheel into the new direction ; these guides will
coutorm themselves respectively, as will also the colo-
nel, lieutenant colonel, and major, to what is pre-
scribed above for those of the leading battalion.
183. In the case of several ])attalioiis, the lieuten-
ant colonel of each will n)aiMtain steadily the guide
of his leading subdivision about four paces within the
line of general guides, even should the last subdivi-
sions (»f the battalion inuuediately pieceding deviate
from the pai-allelism, in order that the false directum
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART III. 43
of one battiili(»n niny iu»t iiifluonco that of tlio Imttal-
ioiiB which follow.
The column arriving behind the line of battle, to pro-
long it on this line.
]r'4. If the column, right in front, arrive behind
the line of battle, as it ought to find itself four pacoH
within this line, after having changed direction, the
colonel will cause a inarker to be placed at the point
where, according to that conditi(ui, the first subdivi-
sion ought to commence whcM'liug. Another marker
will be established on the line of battle, to indicate
the point at which the general guides ought, in suc-
cession, to begin to prolong themselves on that line;
he will be so placed that each subdivision, having
finished its wheel, may find itself nearly in a line
with this marker.
J 85. At the instant the first subdivision, after hav-
ing wheeled to the right, begins to prolong itself,
parallelly to the line of battle, the leading genera]
guide, i)laeed in advance on that line, will direct him-
self on the two points taken in bis front; the color
bearer and the other general guide will successively
plice themselves on the same line the instant that
their respective subdivision shall have finished their
wheel.
186. If the column be comiK)sed of several bat-
talions, the general guides <tf the following battalions
will successively execute what has been just pre-
scribed for those of the leading battalion, and the
whole will conform themselves, as well as the guides
of subdivisions, and the field officers of the several
44 SCHOOL OF TIIK BATTALION— PART IIL
battalions, to what is indicated, above, for a column
arriving in front of a line of battle.
187. In a column, left in front, arriving in front or
in rear of the line of battle, these movements will be
executed on the same i)riuciples, and by inverse
means.
The coliiDin arriving on the right or the left of the line
of battle, to prolong it on this line.
188. If the column, instead of arriving in front «>r
in rear of the line of battle, arrive on its right or left,
and if it have to prolong itself on that line, in order
afterwards to form to the left or right into line of
battle, the colonel will bring the color and general
guides on the flank of the column by the command
color and general guides on the line : and these guides
will prolong themselves on the line of battle, con-
forming to what is prescribed above.
Manner of prolonging a line of battle by markers.
189. When a column pndongs itself on the line of
battle, it being all-important that the general guides
march correctly on that liu •, it becomes necessary
that c<donels, lieutenant colonels, and majors, whose
duty it is to maintain the true direction, should be
able to see, as far as practicable, the two objects, on
which the march of the geneial guides ought to be
directed; consequently, when no prominent objects
present themselves in the desired direction, the chief
of the column will supply the want of them in ad-
SCIJCOL OF TIIK I'.ATTALION— PAirr HI. 45
vance by aids-de-cjimp, or other motintcd officers,
and in such number as may be necessary.
190. Three such officers may prolong a line as far
as may be desired in the following manner: they
will place themselves in advance on th«' line <»f bat-
tle, the tirst at the point where the head of the
column ought to enter; the second, three or four hun-
dred paces behind the tir^t, and the third, a like dis-
tance behind the second The first of these officers
will remain in position till the leading general guide
shall have entered on the line of battle, and then, at
a gallop, place himself at a convenient distance be-
hind the third. The second will do the like in re-
spect to the tirst, when the head of the column shall
be near him, and so on in continuation. These officers,
without dismounting, will face to the colunu), and
cover each other accurately in file. It will be on
them that the general guitlcs will steadily direct their
march, and it will be so much the more easy for the
latter to maintain themselves on the direction, as
they will always be able to see the mounted officers
over the heads of the preceding guides; thus the de
viation from the direction, by one or more general
guides, need not mislead those whotolhjw.
191. A single mounted officer may suffice to assure
the directi«»n of a column, when the pt>int of direc-
tion towards which it marches is very distinct. In
this case, that officer will place himself on the line of
bat le within that point, and beyond the one at which
the head of the column wiH halt, and remain in posi-
tion till the column halts; serving thus as the inter
mediate p<»int f<u' giving steadiness to the march of
the general guides.
4G SCHOOL OF TIIK BATTALION-PART III.
192. For a column of one or two battalions, mark-
ers on foot will sntfiee to indicate the line to be fol-
lowed by the general guides.
licinarks on the march in column.
10:V Altbough the nncad<Miced step be that of
colunnis in route niarebes, and also that wliieli ought
to be habitually employed in the Evolutions oj the
Line, because it leaves the men mcu'e at ease, and,
consequently, is better adapted to movements on n
large seale and to ditTicult gr unds, nevertheless, as
it is of paramount importance to confirm soldiers in
the measure and the movement of the cadenced pace,
the route step will be but little practised in the ex-
ercises by battalion, except in g«»iug to, and return-
ing from, the ground of instruction, and for teaching
the mechanism and movements of columns in route.
]94. It is highly essential to the regulaiity of the
march in column that each gui ie iollow exactly in
the trace of the one immediately jjreceding, without
occupying his attention with the general direction of
the guides. If this principle be steadily observed,
the guides will find themselves aligned, provided that
the leading one march exactly in the direction indi-
cated to him; and even should obstaeles in his way
force him into a momentary deviation, the direction
of the column would not necessarily be changed ;
whereas, if the following guides endeavor to conform
themselves at once to all t e movements of the lead-
ing one, in order to cover him in file, such endeavors
would necessarily cause corresponding fluctuations
XZ-
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JLSL
ie= \
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i !
I i
.SCHOOL OK TilK RAITAF, ION— PART III. 47
... the (•(('uinn from right to left, and from left to
right. ;iii<l render the preservation of distanees ex-
tremely diflieult.
lO.j. As a eons<'<iuenee of the principh*, that each
Suhlc shall rmrthj follow in the (race of the one
irho iinmciliatily precedes, if, pending tiu; march (tfthe
cohimn, the co one! shall give a new point of direc-
tion, t(»o near to the first to require a formal change
«»f directitdi, the leading guide, advancing the one or
the <»ther shouider, wi:l immediately direct himself
on this point; the other guides will only conform
themselves to this movement as each arrives at the
pi'int at which the first had executed it. Each sub-
livi.^itin will conform itself to the movement of its
guide, the men insensih'y lengthening or shortening
tin' stej), and advancing or refusing (throwing back)
tin' shou der <»pposite to the guide, but without losing
the touch of the eibow towards his side.
196. The column, by company, being in march, the
!(»nel will cause it to diminish front by platoon,
Irom front to rear, at once, and to increase front by
platoon in like manner, which movements will be
commanded and executed as prescribed in the school
of the company, Nos. 282 and 27:3 and following,
changing the command /orm company to form compa-
nies. 8o may he increase and diminish, or diminish
and increase front, according to the same principles
and at once, by company, changing the command
form companies to form divisions, and the command
break into platoons, to break into companies. In this
case, the companies and divisions will execute wh.it
48 SCHOOL < F TUK nATTAl-K'N-rAUT III.
is prescribed for platoons and companies respectively.
]07. Tlie column being at a bait, if the colonel
8hou!d wish to march it to the rear, and the distance
to be gained be so inconsiderable as to render a coun-
termarch a dispro])«»rtionate lo^s of time, he will
cause the column t(t face about, and then put it in
march by the commands prescribed No. 1(54; the
chiefs of the subdivisions will remain behind the
front rank, the file closers before the rear rank, and
the guides will step into the rear rank, now in front.
In a column, l)y divisi<in, the junior captains, in the
intervals between companies, will replace their cov-
ering sergeants in tlie rear rank, and these sergeants
will step into the line of file closers in front of their
intervals.
Akticlk Second.
Column in route.
198. A colunm in route, like a column in ma-
noeuvre, ought never to have a depth greater than
about the front it had occupied in the line of battle,
less the front of a subdivi6ic»n.
199. The observance of this principle re(}uire8 no
particular rule for a column in manoeuvre: but, as a
colunm in route may have hourly to pass narmw
ways, bi-idges, or other defiles, rendering it necessniy
to diminish the front of subdivisions, it becomes im-
portant to give rules and means bv wbicli the column
may, for any length of march, prestu've the ease of
SCII'>()L OF THE BATTALION— PART III. 49
the route step \viih(»ut elongation from front to rear.
200. A coluiun in route will be habitually formed
by comi^any.
201. When a eolumii in route shall arrive at a pass
too ^arro^^' to receive the front of a company, the
column will diminish front by platoon before enter-
ing. This movement will be executed successively,
or by all the conipanies at once.
202. If, however, the deiile be very short, and it
may be passed by the diminution of a few files, it
will be preferable to break to the rear the limited
number of files.
203. The column being by platoon, and the want
of space rendering a further diminution of front ne-
cessary, it will be diminished by section, if the pla-
toons be of twelve or m()re files.
204. The column being by section, will continue to
march by that front as long as the defile may permit.
205. If the platoons have less than twelve files,
one or two files will be broken to the rear, according
to the narrowing of the defile, and the route step con-
tinued as long as six files can march abreast.
206. What has just been explained for breaking
files to the rear in a column by platoon, is equally ap-
plicable to a column by section.
207. If the defile be too narrow to permit six men
to march abreast, the subdivisions will be marched
successively by the fl;mk, conf(»rming to what is pre-
scribed NoF. :il4 and 3 J. 5, school of the company.
208. The battalion marching by the flank, will be
4
50 SCH >t'L «'F TilE RATTALloN— PART III.
formed into c<ilmnn, by soctidii, by platoon, or by
C()n)piiiiy, as soon as tlio brcadtb of Ibo way may
permit; tbo scvt'i'al movements wbicb tbese forma-
tions inelude will b»' exeented by tbe eommands of
the caj)tains, as tbeir eompanies sueeessively clear
the defile, observing the following rules.
209, As soon as tbe way is sufticiently broad to
contain »ix men al)reast. the captain will command :
1. Ihj srctivii (vvhy platoon) into line. 2. March.
21(1. At the command march, tbe subdivisions in-
dicated will form themselves into line; the files
which have not been able to enter, will follow (by
the flunk) the last four files of their subdivision which
have entered into line.
211. The column marching in this order, the files
in rear will be caused to ent(>r into line as the in-
creased bieadth of the way may permit.
212. The colunm marching by section or by pla-
toon, platoons or conipanies will be formed as soon
as the breadth of the way may permit.
21.'?. The leading subdivision will follow the wind-
ings of the pass or defile ; the fullovving subdivisions
will not occujjy themselves with tbe direction, but
all, in succession, pass over the trace of the subdivi-
sions which precede them respectively. The men
will not seek to avoid the bad parts of the way, but
pass, as far as practicble, each in the direction of
bis file.
214. Changes of direction will always be made
without comuiand ; if ILo change be important, a
SCHOOL OF THE BAITALION— PART III. 51
caution merely from the respective chiefs to their
Bubdivisioiis will suffico, and the rear rank, as well as
the tiles broken to the rear, will execute successively
the movement where the front rank had executed it.
215. The colonel will hold himself at the head of
the battalion ; he will regulate the step of the lead-
ing subdivision, and indicate to its chief the instant
for executing the various movements which the na-
ture of the route may render necessary.
210. If the column be composed of several bat-
talions, each will conform itself, in its turn, to what
shall have been commanded for the leading battalion,
observing to execute each movement at the same
place, and in the same manner.
217. Finally, to render the mechanism of all those
movements familiar to the troops, and to habituate
them to march in the I'oute step without elongating
the column, commanders will generally cause their
battalions to march in this step, going to, and return-
ing from, fields of exercise. Each will occasionally
conduct his battalion through narrow passes, in order
to make it perceive the utility of the principles pre
scribed above ; and he will several times, in every
course of instruction, march it in the route step, and
cause to hfi executed, sometimes at once, and some-
times successively, the divers movements which have
just been indicated.
52 SCHOOL OF TlIK BATTALION— PART III.
General rcmarlis on tfie column in route.
218. The lesson relative to the eoliimn in route is,
by its frequent ai)i)liciiti()n, one of the most important
that can be ^iven to troops. If it be not well taught
and established on right principles, it will happen
that the rear of the C(»lumn in route will be obliged
to run, to regain distances, or that the front will be
forced to halt till the rear shall have accctmplished
that object; thus rendering the march greatly slower,
or greatly more fatiguing, generally both, than if it
were executed according to rule.
219. The ordinarj' progress t>f a colunui in route
ought to be, on good roads or good grounds, at the
rate of one hundred and ten i)aces in a minute. This
rate may be easily maintained by columns of almost
any depth ; but over bad roads, ploughed fields, loose
gauds, or mountainous districts, the progress cannot
be so great, and must therefore be regulated accord-
ing to circumstances.
220. The most certain means of marching well in
route, is to preserve always a reguhir and equal
movement, and, if obstacles oblige one or m<»re sub-
divisions to slacken or to sh<u-ten the step, to cause
the primitive rate of march to be resumed the mo-
ment the difRcuties are passed.
221. A subdivisi«u) ought never to take more thau
the prescribed distance from the subdivision im-
mediately preceding ; but it is sometinu^s necessary
to lessen that distance.
222. Thus: the head of the column encounters an
obstacle which obliges it to rehix its march; all the
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IIL 53
following subdivisions will preserve the habitual step,
and close up in mass; if necessary, on the subdivisi(»n
nearest to the obstacle Distances will afterwards
naturally be recovered as each subdivision shall suc-
cessively have passed the obstacle. Nevertheless, if
the ditficulty be too great to be overcome by one sub-
division, whilst the next is closing up, so that dis-
tances cannot afterwards be recovered without run-
ning, the chief of the column will halt the leading
subdivision beyond the obstacle, at a distance suffi-
cient to contain the whole column in mass. He will
then put the column in march, the subdivisions taking
distances by the head, observing to commence the
movement in time, so that the last subdivision may
not be obliged to halt, after having cleared the ob-
stacle.
223. When the chief of a column shall wish to
change the rate of march, he will cause the leading
battaliiui to (juicken or to relax the step insensibly,
and send orders to the other battalions each to regu-
late itself by that which precedes it.
224. The column being composed of several bat-*
talions, the general-in-chief will always leave an aid"
de-camp with its rear to bring him prompt informa-
tion if it find a difficulty in following.
22.5. Subdivisions ought always to step out well in
obliquing, both in breaking and f(»rming companies or
platoons. When either is d(nie in succession, it is
highly important that no subdivision slacken or shorten
the step whilst that which precedes it is engaged in
the movement. The observance of this principle can
alone prevent an elongation of the column.
226. If the battalion, marching by the flank, en-
54 SCHOOL OF THE EAITALION— PART HI.
counter a pass so narrow as to oblige it to defile with
a front «»f two men, the coh»nerwill order support
arms, t;ike the cadenced step, and undouble the files,
whicli will l»e executed as prescribed in the schocd of
company, No. '.\26; the files will double again as soon
as the bi-eadth of the way will permit.
227. If the defile be only sufficient to receive a
front of one man, the colonel will cause the men to
pass one at a time. The men of the same file should
follow each other in their order as closely as possible,
and without loss of time. As soon as the defile per-
mits a front of two or f<»ur men, the battalion will be
re-formed into two or four ranks, and will march in
this order until there be space to form platoons or
sections, as indicated No. 209.
228. In both cases, just supposed, the head of the
battalion, after, having passed the defih% will march
till sufficient space be left to contain the wh(»le of the
subdivisions in mass ; afterwards it will be put in
^narch by the means indicated No. 222.
229. When a command has to move rapidly over a
given distance, the movements prescribed in this
article will be executed in double quick time ; if the
distance be long, the chief o( the c(dumn will not
allow the march at this gait to be continued for more
than fifteen minutes; at the end of this lime, he will
order the ordinary route step to be marched for five
minutes, and then again resume the double quick. If
the ground be uneven, having considerable ascents
and descents, he will reserve the double quick for
those parts of the ground most favorable to this
march.
'^ T!lIli:ii?'iESii|
lKi!JE!F.'«r
\.
i'^mFmT'
HCIIOOL OK TIIK BATTALION— PART III. 55
230. A c<tliiniii inn veiling iiltrniiitel}' in dduble
quick tiino and tiic (>i-(liii;iry r«»utp step, in the man-
ner stated, can easily accomplish very lone; dis-
tances in a very sliort space of time; but when the
distance to l)e ])assed ttver l)e not great<"r than two
miles, it (»Mirht to he aecomjilislied, when the ground
is favorable, without changing the rate of march.
Article Third.
To change direction in column at full distance.
231. The column being in march in the cadenced
stej), when the colonel shall wish to cause it to change
directi<in, lie will go to the point at which the change
ought to be commenced, and establish a marker
there, presenting the breast to the flank of the col-
umn ; this marker, no matter to which side the
change of direction is to be made, will be posted on
the opposite side, and he will remain in position till
the last subdivision (»f the battalion shall have passed.
The leading subdivision being within a few paces of
the marker, the colonel will command :
Head of column to the left for right).
2'.>2. At this, the chief of the leading subdivision
will immediately take the guide on the side opposite
the change of direction, if not already there. This
guide will direct himself so as to graze the breast of
the marker; arrived at this point, the chief will cause
his subdivisiou to change direction by the commands
56 SCHOOL OF TIIK ILATTALION— I^UIT III
and according to the principles prescribed in the
Bchool of the company. When the wheel is com-
pleted, the chief of this sulHlivision will retake the
guide, if changed, on the side of the primitive direc-
tion.
233. The chief of each succeeding subdivision, as
well as the guides, will conform to what has just
been explained for the leading subdivision.
234. The coh)nel will carefully see that the guide
of each subdivision, in wheeling, does not throw him-
self without or within, but passes over all the points
of the arc of the circle, which he ought to describe.
235. As often as no distinct object presents itself
in the new direction, the lieutenant colonel will place
himself upon it in advance, at the distance of thirty
or foi-ty paces from the marker, and be assured in
this directitin by the colonel ; the leading guide will
take, the moment he shall have cliangcd dii-ectiitn,
two jxtints on tht; ground in the straight line which,
drawn fn»m himself, wttuld pass between the heels of
the lieutenant colonel, taking, afterwards, new points
as he advances.
236. The major will see that the guides direct
themselves on the marker posted at the point of
change, so as to graze his breast.
237. If the column be ccmiposed of' several battal-
ions, the lieutenant colonel (»f the second, will cause
the marker of the first battalion, to be rephiced as
soon as the last subdivision of this battalion shall
have passed ; this disposition will be observed by bat-
talion after battalion, to the rear of the column.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III r.T
Remarks.
238. It has been demonstrated, schocd of the Ciun-
panj% how important it is.^r.s/, that each subdivision
execute its change of direction pn'cisely at the point
where the leading one had changed, and that it ar-
rive in a s([uare with the direction ; second, that the
wheeling pi.int <iught, always, to be cleared in time,
in order that the subdivision engaged in the wheel may
not arrest the movement of the following (»ne. The
deeper the column, the more rigorously ought these
principles to be observed ; because, a fault that would
be but slight in a column of a single battalion, would
cause much embarrassment in one of great depth.
Article Fourth.
To halt the column.
230. The column being in march, when thf colonel
shall wish to halt it, he will command :
1. Column. 2 Halt,
240. At the second command, briskly repeated by
the captains, the column will halt; no guide will stir,
though he may have lost his distance, (>r be out of the
direction of the preceding guides.
247. The column being in march, in double quick
time, will be halted by the same commandB. At the
58 SCHOOL ON THE BATTALION— PART Hh
comiiiitiul halt, the men will halt in their places, and-
will themselves rectify their positions in ihe ranks.
242. The column being halted, when the colonel
shall wish to form it into line of battle, he will n)ove
a little in front of the leading guide, and face t(t him;
this guide and the folk>wing one will fix their eyes on
the cdlonel, in order promptly to conform themselves
to his directions.
243. If the colonel judge it not necessary to give a
general direction to the guides, he will limit himself
to rectifying the position of such as may be without,
or within the direction, by the cnmmand truidc of
(such) company, or guides of (such) companies, to
the right, (or tu the left ; ) at this command, the guides
desigmited will place themselves on the direction ;
the others will stand fast.
244. If, on the contrary, the colonel judge it ne"
cessary to give a general direction to the guides o^
the column, he will place the first two on the direc-
tion he shall have chosen, and comnuind :
Guides, cover.
245. At this, the following guides will pnmiptly
place themselves on the direction covering the first
two in file, and each precisely at a distance equal to
the front of his company, from the guide immedi-
diately preceding ; the lieutenant colonel will assure
them in the direction, and the colon*?] will command:
Left, Cor right)— BreS:'.
SBIIOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART 111. 69
246. At this command, each company will incline
to the right or left, and dress forward or backward,
80 a8 to bring tlie designated flank to rest on its
guide ; each captain will place himself two paces
outside of his guide, promptly align his company
parallelly with that which precedes, then command
Fron^ and return to his place in column.
247. Finally, if the general guides march on the
flank of the column, the colonel, having halted it,
W'ill place himself in rear of the color bearer, to as-
certain whether the leading general guide and the
color-bearer be exactly on the direction of the two
points in advance, and establish them on that direc-
tion if they be not already ()n it; the major will do
the like, in respect to the general guide in the rear ;
which being executed, the colonel will command :
J. Gwirfcs— On the line.
248. At this cmnmaiid, the guide of each company
of the directing flank will step promptly into the di-
rection of the general guides, and face to the front.
The lieutenant C(tlonel, placed in front of, and focing
to, the leading general guide, and the major, placed
in rear of the rearmost one, will promptly align the
company guides.
249. The colonel, having verified the direction of
the guides, will command :
Left (or nV/jf)— Dress.
250. This will be executed as prescribed, No. 246.
60 t^CIIOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III.
Rauarks.
251. The means indicated, No. 244, and following;,
for ^iviii}! a general direction to the guides of « col-
umn, ;it full distance, will apply only to a column
composed of two, or, at most, three battalions. If
the number be more numerous, its chief will cause
the colors and general guides of all the battalions to
step out and place themselves on the directi<m which
he may wish to give to the column, as is explained in
the evolutions of the line.
Article Fifth.
To close the column to half distance, or in mass.
252. A colutnn by company being at full distance
right in front, and at a halt, when the colonel shall
wish to cause it to close to half distance, on the lead-
ing company, he will comm ind :
1. To half distance, close column. 2. MARCH Cor
double quick — March J.
253. At the first command, the captain of the
leading company will caution it to stand fast.
254. At the command march, which will be re-
peated by all the captains, except the captain of the
leading company, this cojupany will stand fast, and
its chief will align it by the left ; the file closers will
close one pace upon the rear rank.
FCHOOL UK THE BATTALION— PyUrr III. 01
255. All the (ttber coinpnnies will cctutinup to
inarch, and as each in sTiccosKion arrives at platoon
tlistaiice from the one which precedes, its captain will
halt it.
25(5. At tlie instant that each compnnv halts, its
yuidc will phice hini.sclfon the direct ion oi" the guides
who precede, and thec.iptain will align the company
hytUeleft; the lile closers will close one pace upon
the rear rank.
257. No particular attention need be given to the
general direction of the guides before they respec-
tively halt; it will suffice if each follow iu the trace
of the one who precedes him.
258. The c<»lonel, <m the side of the guides, will
supciinlend the execution of the mcnemeiit, observ-
ing that the c'iptains halt their companies exactly at
])latoon distance the one from the other.
250. The lieutenant ccdonel, a few paces in front,
will face to the leading guide and assure the posi-
tions of the following guides as they successively
place themselves on the direction.
260. The major will follow the movement abreast
with the last guide.
261. If the column be in march, the c(donel will
cause it to close by the same commands.
262. If the column be marching in double quick
time, at the first command, the captain of the lead-
ing company will command quick time; the chiefs ot
the other companies will caution them to continue
their march.
263. At the c(»inmand march, the leading company
will inarch in quick, and the other companies in
double quick time ; and as each arrives at platoon
62 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III
distanco from the procediiig one, its cbiof will cause
it to inarch in qnick time.
i>64. Wbe-i the rearmost company shall have gain-
ed its distance, the colonel will command :
Donhlc quick— ISlxRCll.
265. When the colonel shall wish to halt the column
and to cause it to close to halt distance at the same
time, he will notify the captain of the leading com-
pany of his intention, who at the command march will
halt his ciimpany and align it by the lett.
2(5(5. If the column be marching in quick time, and
the colonel should not give the c(»mmand double
quick, the captain (»f the leading ci»nipany will halt
his company at the connnand march, and align it by
the left. In the case, where the coU»nel adds the
command double quick, the captains of companies
will conform to what is prescribed No. 262, and the
movement will be executed as indicated No. 263.
To close the column on the eighth, or rearmost
company.
267. The column being at a halt, if instead of caus-
ing it to close to half distance on the first company,
the colonel should wisli to cause it to close ou the
eighth, he will command :
I . On the eighth company, to half distance close column.
2. Battalion about — Face. 3. Column forward.
4. Guide right. 5. March (or double quick —
March).
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALI N— PART III. 03
268. At tin? second coinmand, all theconipaiiioH ex-
cept tlie cijL^bth, will face a'lout, and their guides will
remain in the front rank, now tbe rear.
269. At the fourth c()mmand, all the captains will
place themselves two paces outside of their com-
panies on the directing flank.
270. At the command march, the eighth company
will stand fast, and its captain will align it l>y the
lelt, the other companies will put themselves in
march, and, as each arrives at platoon distance fmm
the one established before it, its captain will halt it
and face it lo the front. At the moment that each
comp;niy halts, the left guide, remaining fa<'ed to the
rear, will phice himself pmmptly on the direction of
the guides already estal)lished. Immediately aft<M-,
the captain will align his company by the left, and
the file closers will close one pace on the rear rank.
If this movement be executed in double quick time,
each captain, in turn, will halt, and command ; Suck
company, riirfit about — Halt. At this command, th*;
company designated will face to the right about and
halt.
271. All the companies being aligned, the colonel
will cause the guides, who stand faced to the rear,
to face about.
272 The lieutenant colonel, placing himself behind
the rearmost guide, will assure successively the posi-
ti(»ns of the other guides, as prescrilx'd No. 2')!) ; the
major will remain abreast with the rearmost com-
pany.
27;?. The c<dumn being in march, when the colonel
shall wish to close it on the eighth company, he will
command :
64 SCIl'.'OL (F THi: P,ATTALIi'N_PARl' HI.
1 . On the eighth company, to half distance, close column .
2. Battalion ri<rht about. '.). Makcm («r doiible
quick — March). 4. Guide right.
274. At tlu' fitst conimaiKl, the f;ii)t;iiii of the
eightli c(»iiii)aiiy will caution bis eitiupauy that it \vill
remain faced to the front; the captains of the other
C(»mpanies will caution their companies that they
will have to face about.
275. At the command march, the captain of the
eighth c(mipany will halt his company and align it by
the left; the file dof^ers will close one pace ujjon the
rear rank.
276. The captains <»f the other companies, at the
same command, will place themselves on the flank of
the Cf^lunin ; the subdivisions will face about, and as
each arrives at platoon distance from the company
immediately preceding it, its chief will face it to the
front and halt it as prescribed No. 270. The instant
each company halts, the guide on the directing flank,
remaining faced to the rear, will quickly place him-
self on the direction of the guides alreai'y established.
After whii-h, tlie captain will align the cismpany by
the left, and the file closers will close one pace upon
the rear rank.
277. The lieutenant colonel will follow the move-
ment abreast of the first company. The major will
place himself a few paces in rear of the guide of
the eighth comi)any, and will assure successively the
position of the other guides.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III. 65
Remarks.
278. A column by division at full distance will close
to half distance by the same means and the same
commands.
279. A column by company, or by division, being
at full or half distance, the colonel will cause it to
close in mass by the same means and commands, sub-
stituting the indication column, close in mass, for
that of to hdlf distance, close column. Each chief of
subdivision will conform himself to all that has just
been prescribed, except that he will not halt his sub-
division till its guide shall be at a distance of six
paces from the guide of the subdivision next preced-
ing.
280. In a column, left in front, these various move-
ments will be executed on the same principles.
Article Sixth.
To march in column at half distance, or closed in mass.
281. A column at half distance or in mass, being
at a halt, the cobmel will put it in march by the com-
mands prescribed for a column at full distance.
282. The means of direction will also be the same
for a colunm at half distance or in mass, as for a col-
umn at full distance, except that the general guides
will not step out.
283 A C(dumn at half distance or in mass, being
in march, when the colonel shall wish to halt it, he
5
66 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART IIL
will give the commands prescribccl for halting a eol-
uum at full distance, and if, alterwaids, he judge it
necessary to give a general direction to the guides of
the C(dunin, he will employ, to this end, the com-
maDds and iiie;ius indicated. No. '244 and following.
284. In columns at half distance or closed in mass,
chiefs of subdivision will repeat the commands march
and halt, as in columns at full distance.
285. The cohmel will often march the column to
the rear, by the means and the commands prescribed
Nos. 17Uandl7J.
286. A column by division or company, whether at
full or half distance or closed in mass, at a halt or
marching, can be faced to the right or left, and march-
ed olf in the new direction.
Article Seventh.
To change direction in column at half distance.
287. A column at half distance, being in march,
will change direction by the same connnands and ac-
cording tt> the same principles as a column at full dis-
tance ; but as the distance between the subdivisions
is less, the j)ivot man in each subdivision will take
steps of fourteen inches instead of nine, and of seven-
teen inches instead of eleven, according to the gait,
in order t(» clear, in time, the wheeling point, and the
inarching flank will describe the arc of a larger cir-
cle, tlie better to facilitate the movement.
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school of the battalion— part iii. 67
Article Eighth.
To change direction in column closed in mass.
]st. To change direction in marching.
283. A column by divlsictn, closed in mass, being in
march, will change direction by the front of subdivi-
sions.
289. "Whether the change be made to the reverse,
or to the pivctt flank, it will always be executed on
the principles of wheeling in marching; to this end,
the colonel will first cause the batralion to take the
guide on^ie flank opposite to the intended change of
direction, if it be not already on that flank.
290. A column by division, closed in mass, right in
front, having to change direction to the right, the
colonel, aft«'r having caused a marker to be placed at
the point where the change ought to oommeuce, will
command :
U Battalion, right wheel. 2. March.
291. At the command marc/t, the leading division
will wheel as if it were part of a column at half
distance.
292. The instant that this division commences the
wheel, all the others will, at once, conform them-
selves to its movement; to this end the left guide of
each, advancing slightly the left shoulder and length-
ening a little the step, will incline to the left, and will
68 sen OL OF THE BATTALI N-PART IIF,
observe, at the same time, to gain so much ground to
the front that there may constantly be an interval of
four paces between his divisicm and that which pre-
cedes it; and as soon as he sliall cover the preceding
guide, he will cease to incline and then march exact-
ly in his trace.
293. Each division will conform itself to the move-
ment of its guide; the men will feel lightly the elbow
towards him and advance a little the left shoulder the
instant the movement commences ; each file in inclin-
ing, will gain so nuich the less gniund to the front, as
the file shall be nearer to the pivot, and the right
guide will gain only so much as may be necessary to
maintain between his own and the preceding division
the same distance wliich separates their marching
flanks. •
294. Each chief of division, turning to it, will regu-
late its march, and see that it remains constantly in-
cluded between its guides, that its alignment con-
tinues nearly parallel to that of the preceding division,
and that the centre bends only a little to the rear.
295. The colonel will superintend the movement,
and cause the pivot of the leading division to length-
en or to shorten the step, conforming to the principle
established, school of the company. No. 227 — if eitlier
be necessary to facilitate the movement of the other
divisions.
296. The lieutenant colonel, placed near the left
guide of the leading division, will regulate his march.
sen > L (IF THE BATTALIMN— PART III. (9
and take care, above all, that he does not throw him-
self icifAin the arc he ought to describe.
297. The major, placed in the rear of the guides,
will see that the last three conform themselves, each
by slight degrees, to the movement of the guide im-
mediately preceding, and that neither inclines too
much in the endeavor to cover too promptly the guide
in his front; he wiH rectify any serious fault that may
be committed in either of those particulars.
298. The colonel, seeing the wheel nearly ended,
will command:
1. Forrcnrd. 2. MARCH.
299. At the second command, which will be given
at the instant the leading division completes its wheel,
it will ri'sunie the direct march; the other divisions
will conform themselves to this movemeat; and if
any guide find himself not covering his immediate
leader, he will, by slight degrees, bring himself on the
trace of that guide, by advancing the right shoulder.
300. If the ccdumn, right in front, has to change
dlrecti«ui to the left, the colonel will first cause it to
take the guide to the right, and then command :
1. Battalion, left ichccl. 2. March.
301. At the command march, the battalion will
change direction to the left, according to the princi-
ples just prescribed, and by inverse means.
302. When the battalion shall have resumed the
70 yCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART HI.
direct march, the colonel wil! change the guide to the
left, on seeing the last three guides nearly in the di-
rection of the one in front.
30'A. The foregoing changes of direction will be
executed according to the sauie principles in a col-
umn, left in front.
304. A column by company, closed in mass, will
change direction in marching, by the commands and
means indicated for a column by division.
305. The guide, who is the pivot of the particular
W'heel, ought to maintain himself at his usual distance
of six paces from the guide wln» precedes him ; if this
distance be not exactly preserved, the divisions would
necessarily become confounded, which must be care-
fully avoided.
2d. To change direction from a halt.
30C. A column by company, or by division, closed
in mass, being at a halt, when the colonel shall wish
to give it a new direction, and in which it is to re-
main, he will cause it ti» execute this movement bj
the flanks of subdivisions, in the following manner:
307. The battalion having the right in front, when
the colonel shall wish to ctuse it to change direction
by the right flank, he will indicate to the lieutenant
colonel the point of direction to the right; this oflicer
will immediately establish, (»n the new direction, two
markers, distant from each other a little less than the
front of the first subdivision, the first marker in front
of the right file of this subdivision ; which being exe-
cuted, he will command :
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART III. 71
1. Change direction hy the risht flank. 2. Battalion,
right— Face. 3. March [_or , double quick —
March.]
303. At the second command, the column will face
to the right, and each chief of snhdivision will place
himself hy the side of his right guide.
300. At the comniand march, all the subdivisions
will sti^p off together: the right guide of the handing
one will direct himself from the first step, parallelly
to the markers placed in advance on the new direc-
tion ; the chief of tho subdivision will not follow the
movement, but see it file past, and as soon as the left
guide shall have passed, he will command :
1. First company \_or flrst division'\. 2. HALT.
3. Front. 4. Left— Dress.
310. At the fourth command, the subdivision will
place itself against the two markers, and be prompt-
ly aligned by its chief.
311. The right guide of each of the following sub-
divisions will conform hitiiself to the direction of the
right guidf* of the subdivisi(»n preceding his own in
the c(»lumn, so as to enter on the new direction par-
allelly to that subdivision, and at the distance of four
paces fr(un its rear rank.
312. Each chief of subdivision will halt in his own
person, on arriving oppctsite to the left guides already
placed on the new direction, see his subdivision file
past, and c(»nform himself, in hajtiug and aligning it,
to what is prescribed No. 309.
72 SCHOOL OF THE BATl^ALION— PART III.
313. If the change of direction be by the left flank,
the colonel will cause markers to be established aa
before, the first in front of tlie left file of the lead-
ing subdivision, and then give the same connuands,
substituting tlie indication left for right.
314. At the second command, all the subdivisions
will face to the left, and each chief will place hinfi-
self by the side of his left guide.
315. At the command march, all the subdivisions
will step off together, each conducted by its chief.
316. The guide of the leading subdivision will di-
rect, himself, from the first step, parallely to the
markers ; the subdivision will be conducted by its
chief; and as soon as its left guide shall have passed
the second marker, it will be halted and aligned as
prescribed above; and so of each of the following
subdivisions.
317. The colonel will hold himself on the designa-
ted flank, to see that each subdivision enters the new
direction parallelly to the leading one, andatthepre-
scrib'^l distance from that which precedes.
318. The lieutenant colonel will place himself in
front of, and facing to, the guide of the leading sub-
division, and will assure the positions of the follow-
ing guides, as they successively arrive on tlie new di-
rection.
319. The major will follow the movement abreast
with the last subdivision.
320. In order that this movement may be executed
with facility and precision, it is necessary that the
leading subdivision should entirely unmask the col
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART HI. 73
nmn; for oxample, the movemont boing iiindo by the
right flank, it is necessary before halting the leading
subdivision, that its left guide shall, atle.ist, have ar-
rived at the place previously occupied by its right
guide, in order that each folhtwitig subdivision which
has to pass over a space at least equal to its frcuit to
put itself in the lunv directi(ui, and whose left ought
to pass the point at which the right had rested, may,
at the command halt, find itself in its whole front,
parallel to the leading subdivision.
321. By.this method there is no direction that may
not be given to a column in mass.
Article Ninth.
Being in column at half distance, or closed in ynass, to
take distances.
322. A column at half distance will take full dis-
tances hy the head of the column when it has to pro-
long itself on the line of battle. If, on the contrary,
it has to form itself in line of battle on the ground it
occupies, it will take distances on the leading or on
the rearmost subdivision, according as the one or
other may find itself at the point where the right
or left of the battalion ought to rest in line of battle.
1st. To take distances hy the head of the column.
323. The column being by company at halfdistance
and at a halt, when the colonel shall wish to cause it
74 SCFIOOL OF TIIP: BATTALION— PART III.
t(» take full distances by the head, he will cuinmand :
By the head of column, take ic/tccling distance.
324. At this comniand, the captain of the leading
company will put it in march ; to this end, he will
command:
1. First company, forward. 2. Guide left. 3.
March [or double quick — March.]
325. When the second shall have nearly its wheel-
ing distance, its captain will command:
1. Second company, forward. 2. Guide left. 3.
March [or double (pnck—^lARCU.']
32G. At the command march, which will be pro-
nounced at the instant that this company shall have
its wheeling distance, it will step otl smartly, taking
the step from the preceding company. Each of the
other c«»mpanies will successively execute what lias
just been prescribed for the second.
327. The colonel will see that each company puts
itself in march at the instant it has its distance.
328. The lieutenant colonel will hold himself at the
bead of the column, and direct the march of the lead-
ing guide.
32S). The major will hold himself abreast with the
rearmost guide.
330. If the column, instead of being at a halt, be
SCHOOL OF THK BATTALION— PART IIL 75
in march, the colonel will give the same commands,
and add:
March (or douMc quick — March).
331. If the column be marching in quick time, at
the command vnirch, the captain of the leading com-
pany will cause double quick time to be taken; which
will also be done by the other captains as the com-
panies successively attain their proper wheeling dis-
tance.
332. If the column be marching in double quick
time, the leading company will continue to march at
the same gait. The captains of the other companies
will cause quick time to be taken, and as each compa-
ny gains its proper distance, its captain will cause it
to retake the double quick step.
2d. To take distances on the rear of the column.
333. If the colonel wish to take distances on the
rearmost company, he will establish two markers on
the direction he shall wish to give to the line of bat-
tle, the first opposite to the rearmost company, the
second marker towards the head (»f the column, at
company distance from the first, and b(»th facing to
the rear; at the same time, the right general guide,
on an intimation from the lieutenant col(»nel, will
m(»ve raj)idly a little beyond the point to which the
head of the column will extend, and place himself
correctly on the prolongation of the two m <rkers.
These dispositions being made, the colonel will com-
mand :
76 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IIL
1. On the eighth company, take tcheeling distance. 2.
Column forward. 3. Guide left. 4. March (or
double quick— Marcu).
334. At the third command, the captains will place
themselves two paces (lutside of the directing flank ;
the cajjtain of the eighth company will caution it to
stand fust.
335. At the command march, repeated by all the
captains, except the captain of the eighth company,
this latter company will stand tiist; its chief will
align it by the left on the first marker, who is oppo-
site to this company, and place himself before its
centre, after commanding : Front. At this com-
mand, the marker will retire, and the left guide will
take his place.
336. All the other companies will put themselves
in march, the guide of the leading one directing him-
self a little within the right general guide ; when the
seventh c(mipany has arrived opposite the second
marker, its captain will halt, and align it on this
marker, in the manner prescribed for the eighth com-
pany.
337 When the captain of the sixth company shall
see that there is, between his company and the
seventh, the necessary space for wheeling into line,
he will halt his company; the guide facing to the
rear will place himself promptly on the direction,
and the moment he shall be assured in his pt)silion,
the captain will align the company by the left, and
then place himself two paces bef(»re its centre ; the
other companies will successively conform them-
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III. 77
selves to what has just been prescribed for the sixth
company.
338. The colonel will follow the movement, and see
that each company halts at the prescribed distance;
he will promptly remedy any fault that may be com-
mitted, and as soon as all the companies shall be align-
ed, he will cause the guides, who are faced to the rear,
to face about.
330. The lieutenant colonel will successively as-
sure the left guides on the direction, placing himself
in their rear, as they arrive. ^
34U. The major will hold himself at the head of the
column, and will direct the march of the leading
guide.
2d. To take distances on the Iicad of the column.
341. The colonel, wishing to take distances on the
leading company, will establish tv>o markers in the
manner just prescribed, one abreast with this com-
pany, and the other at company distance in rear of the
first, but both facing to the front: the left general
guide, on an intimation from the lieutenant colonel,
will move rapidly to the rear and place himself cor-
rectly on the i)r<tlongation of the two markers, a lit-
tle beyond the point to which the rear of the column
will extend: these dispositions being made, the colo-
nel will command:
1, On the first company, take ucheding distance. 2.
Battalion, aJwut — FACE. 3. Column, forward. 4.
Guide right. 5 March (or double quick —
March).
78 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III.
342. At the second command, all the companies,
except the one designated, will face about, the
guides remaining in the front rank, now become the *
rear.
343. At the fouith command, the captains will j
place themselves outside of their guides.
344. At the command march, the captain of the de-
signated company will align it, as prescribed, No. 335,
on the murker placed bv its side.
345. The remaining companies will put themselves
in march, the guide of the rearmost one will direct
himself a little within the left general guide; when
the second company shall have arrived opposite the
second marker, its captain will face it about, con-
forming to what is prescribed. No. 270, and align it,
as has just been prescribed for the first company.
340. The instant that the third company shall have
its wheeling distance, its captain will halt it facing it
about, as prescribed. No. 270, and align it by the left;
the captains of the remaining c(»mpanies will each, in
succession, conform himself to what has just been
prescribed for the captain of the third.
347. The colonel will follow the movement, as in-
dicated No. 338 ; the lieutenant colonel and major
will conform themselves to what is prescribed, Nos.
339 and 340.
348. These various movements will be executed ac-
cording to the same principles in a column with the
left in front.
349. They will be executed in like manner in a
column closed iu mass ; but, if it be the wish of the
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IIL 79
colonel to open out the column to half, instead of
full distance, he will substitute in the commands,
th«^ indication /ja//, for that of ichceling distance.
:>')(}. In a column by division, distances will be taken
according to the same principles.
Article Tenth.
Countermarch of a column at full or half distance.
3.51. In a column at full or half distance, the coun-
termarch will be executed by the means indicated,
school of the company ; to this end, the colonel will
command:
1. Countermarch. 2. Battalion right (or left — Face.
3. By file left (or right). 4. March for double
quick — March).
To countermarch a column closed in mass.
3.')2. If the column be closed in mass, the counter-
march will l)e executed by the commands and means
subjoined.
353. The c<»lumn being supposed formed by a divi-
sion, right in front, the colonel will command:
1. Countermarch. 2. Battalion, right and left — FACE.
3. By file left and right. 4. March (or double
quick — March).
80 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IIL
354. At the first c(»miiian(l, the chiefs of the odd
numbered divisions will caution them to face to the
right, and the chiefs of the others to face to the
left.
355. At the second command, the odd divisions will
face to the right, and the even to the left ; the right
and left guides of all the divisions will face about;
the chiefs of odd divisions will hasten to their right
and cause two files to break to the rear, and each chief
place himself on the left of the leading front rank
man of his division; the chiefs of even divisions will
hasten to their left, and caus(^ two files to break to
the rear, and each chief place himself on the right of
his leading front rank man.
356. At the command inarch, all the divisions, each
conducted by its chief, will step oft' smartly, the
guides standing fast ; each odd division will wheel by
file to the left around its right guide ; each even divi-
sion will wheel by file to the right around its left
guide, each division so directing its march as to arrive
behind its opposite guide, and when its head shall be
up with this guide, the chief will halt the division,
and cause it to face to the front.
357. Each division, on facing to the front, will be
aligned by its chief by the right; to this end, the
chiefs of the even divisions will move rapidly to the
right of their respective divisions.
358. The divisions being aligned, each chief will
command, Front; at this, the guides will shift to
their proper flanks.
359. In a column with the left in front, the couu-
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART lU. 81
tennarch will be executed by tlie same coiniTiands
and means; but all the divisions will be aligned by
the left: to this end, the chiefs of the odd divisions
will hasten to the left of their respective divisions as
soon as the latter shall have been faced to the front.
300. The colonel, placed on the directing flank,
will superintend the general movement.
361. The countermarch being ended, the lieu-
tenant colonel will always place himself abreast with
the leading, and the major abreast with the rearmost
division.
302. In a column by company, closed in mass, the
countermarch will be executed by the same means
and commands, ajjplying to companies what is pre-
scribed for divisions.
363. The countermarch will always take place
from a halt, whether the cobimn be closed in mass,
or at full, or half distance.
Article Eleventh.
Being in column by company, closed in mass, to
form (titisions.
364. The column being closed in mass, right in
front, and at a halt, when the colonel shall wish to
form divisions, he will command:
1. Form divisions. 'Z. Left companies, Irft — FACE.
3. March (or double quick — March).
6
82 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART HI.
365 At the first command, the captains of the left
companies will caution them to face to the left.
366. At the second command, the left comi)anie8
will face to the left, and 4heir captains will pliice
themselves by the side of their respective left guides.
367. The vi<fht companies, and their captains, will
stand fast; hut the rij^ht and left guides of each of
these companies will place themselves respectively
before the right and left files of the conii);iny both
guides facing to the right, and each resting his right
arm gently against the breast oi' the front rank mau
of the fiie, in order to mark the direction.
368. At the command mnrch, the left companies
only will put themselves in march, their captains
standing fast; as each shall see that his company,
filing pjist, has nearly cleared the colunm, he will
command :
1. Such company. 2. TTalt. 3. Fkont. '|
369. The first comniiind will be given when the
company shall yet have four paces to march; the
second at the instant it shall have cleared its right
company, and the third innnediately after the second.
370. The comi)any having faced to the front, the
files, if tlieie be intervals between them, will
promptly inclini' to the right; the captain will pl.ice
himself on the left of the right company of the divi-
sion, and align himself correctly on the front rank of
that company.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III. 83
371. The left guide will place himself at the same
time before tme of the three left files of his company,
face to the right, aud cover correctly the guides of
the right company; the moment his captain sees him
established on the direction, he will command:
Right — Dress.
372. At this, the left company will dress forward
on the alignment of the right company; the front
rank man, who may find himself opi)osite to the left
guide, will, with<»ut preceding his rank, rest lightly
his breast against the right arm of this guide; the
captain of the left ctnnpany will direct its alignment
on this man, and the alignment being assured, he will
command, Front; but not quit his position.
373. The colonel seeing the divisions formed, will
command :
Guides — Posts.
374. At this, the guides who have marked the
fronts (tf divisions will return to their places in col-
umn, the left guide of each right couipany passing
through the interval in the centre of the division, and
the captains will place themselves as prescribed No.
75.
37.'3. The colonel, from the directing flank of the
column, will superinteud the general execution of the
movement.
37C. If the column be in march, instead of at a
84 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART IIL
halt, when the colonel shall wish to form divisions, he
will command :
1. Form divisions. 2. Left companies, by the left
flank. 3. March (or double quick — March).
377. At the first command, the captains of the
right companies will command, Mark time, the cap-
tains of the left companies will caution their com-
panies to face by the left flank.
378. At the third command, the right companies
will mark time, tiie left conii)anies will face to the
left; the captains of the left compnnies will each see
his company file past him, and when it has cleared
the column, w'ill command:
Such company by the right flank — MARCH.
As soon as the divisions are formed, the colouel
will command :
4. Foncard. 5. March.
379. At the fifth command, the colunm will resume
the gait at which it was marching previous to the
commencement of the movement. The guides of
each division will remain on the right and left of their
respective companies ; the left guide of the right
company will pass into the line of file closers, before
the two companies are united; the right guide of the
left company will step into the rear rank. The cap-
tains will place themselves as prescribed No. 75.
TEHimmiMa
v:.
fcr-i
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J, ■ — Y*
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART III. 85
Being in column at full or half distance to form
divisions.
380. If the coliimu be at a halt, and, instead of.
being clnsod in mass, is at full or half distance, divi-
sions will be formed in the same manner; but the
captains (if the h^ft companies, if the movement be
made in ([uick time, after connnandii g Front, will
each place himself before the centre of his company,
and c<»mmand, 1. Such company, foricard. 2. Guide
right. 3. March. If the movement be made in
double quick time, each will comma d as soon as his
company has cleared the column :
1. Such company by the right flank. 2. March.
3^1. The right guide of each left company will so
direct his march as to arrive by the side (»f the man
on the left of the right company. The left company
being nearly up with the rear rank of the right com-
pany, its captain will halt it, and the movement will
be Hnish -d as prescribed No. 371 and following.
382. If the left be in front, the movement will be
ex«'cuted by inverse means : the right companies
will conform themselves to what is presciibed above
f<»r the loft ctmijianies ; and the two guides, placed
res|)ectivc]y, iM-fure the right and left files of each left
company, will face to the left. At the command.
Guides posts, g'wvn hy thi' cohtnel, the guides, who
have marked the front of divisions, and the captains,
will quickly retake their places in the c<»lumn.
3S:{. Ifthe cjtlunni be marching at full distance,
the divisions wi 1 be formed as prescribed No. J 96.
If it be marching at half distance, the formatiim will
86 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IIL
take place by the comniauds and according to the
principles indicated No. 'S76 ; if the column be niarcli-
ing in double quick time, the companies which should
ynirk time will march in quick time by the commands
of their captains,
Revjarhs on the fornintion of divisions from a halt.
384, As this movement may be considered as the
element of deployments, it ought to be executed with
the utmost accuracy.
385. If companies marching by the flank do not
preserve exactly their distances, th 're will be open-
ings between the files at the instant of facing to the
front.
I^Hfi. If captains halt their companies too early,
tliey will want sp;ic<% and the files which have not
clciired the thinks of the standing companies will not
be able to dress into line without pushing their ranks
latrnilly.
387, If on the contrary the companies be halted
too late, it will be necessary for them to incline to
the right or left in Iressing ; and in deploym -nts,
either of these faults would lead to error in the fol-
lowing comj)anies,
388. As often as a guide shall have to step out to
place himself bef(»re his subdivision in order to mark
th(^ direction, he will be particularly careful to place
himself so as to 1)e opposite to one of the three outer
files of the subdivision when they shall be aligned : if
he take too much distance, and neither of those fil-es
finds itself against liiin, the chiefs of the subdivision
wmII have no assured point on which to direct the
alignment.
SBIIOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART IV. 87
PART FOURTH.
Different modes of passing from the order in column
to the order in battle.
Article First.
Manner of determining the line of battle.
389. The line of battle may be raarked or deter-'
mined in three different manners: 1st, hy pLieing
two markers eighty or a hundred paces apart, on the
direction it is wisht-d to give to the line ; 2d, by
placing a marker at the point at which it may be in-
tended to rest a flank, and then choosing a second
point towards, or beyond the opposite flank, and
there posting a second marker distant frcun each
other a little les^ than the L'ading subdivision ; 3^/,
by choosing at first the points of direction for the
flanks, and then determining, by intermediate points,
the straight line between those selected points, both
of which may sometimes be bejMtud reach.
Article Second.
Different modes of passing from colnmn at full dis-
tance into line of battle.
1. To the left (or right) ^
2 On the right (or left) 1 • , ,. r i, ^^i
3. Forward, ^ > mto Ime of battle.
4. Faced to ihe rear, J
88 SCHOOL ON THE BATTALION— PART IV.
1st. Column at full <lii<tancc, right in front, to the
Irft into line of battle.
390. A column, riglitin front, beiiifj at a hnlt, wheu
the colonel shall witsb to form it to the left into line,
he will iis8iire»the positions of the guides by the
means previously indicated, and then command ;
J. Lift into line, ichccl. 2. Maucii (or double quick
— Ma [I c II).
391. At the first command, the right guide of the
leading company will hasten to place himself on the
direction of the left guides of the C(dumn, face to
them, and place himself so as to be opposite to one
of the three right files of his company, when they
shall be in line : he will be assured in this position
by the lieiiteuant c<;l(niel.
392. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the capliiins, the left front rank man of each com-
pai y will face to the left, and rest his breast lightly
against llie i-iglit arm of his guide: the companies
will wheel t(» the left on the princii)le of wheeling
from a halt, confoi'iniiig thiMuselves to what is pi'o-
scribed, sclidol <»f tlu^ company. No. 2:?9: each cap-
tain will tui'ii to his company, to observe the execu-
tion of the; movement, and, when the right of the
company shall arrive at three paces from the line of
battle, he will command :
1. Such company. 2. Halt.
FCIIOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 89
303. The compnny being halted, the captnin will
pi ice hiuiself on the'line by the side of the left front
rank man of the company next on the right, align
himself correctly, and command:
3. night— Brehs.
394. At this command, the company will dress up
between the captain and the front rank man (»n its
left, the captain directieg the alignment on that man ,
the front rank man on the right of the right company,
who finds himself opposite to its right guide, will
lightly rest his breast against the left arm of this
guide.
395. Each captain, having aligned his company,
will command, FiiONT, and tbe colonel will add :
Guides— rosrs.
396. At this command, the guides will return to
their places in line of battle, each passing through
the nearest captain's interval ; to permit him to pass,
the captaiu will momentarily step before the first
file of his company, and the covering sergeant behind
the sanje file. This rule is general for all the Jor-
matiuns into line of battle.
397. When companies fonn line of ba'tle, file
closers will always place themselves exactly two
paces from the rear rank, which will sufficiently as-
sure their alignment.
398. The battalion l)eing correctly aligned, the
colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major, as well as the
adjutant and sergeant major, will return to their re-
spective places in line-of battle. This rule is general
90 SCH) 'L OF TEIE BATTALI')N-PART IV.
for all the formations into line of battle; neverthe-
less, the battalion being in the school of the elemen-
tary instruction, the colonel will go to any point he
may deem necessary.
399. A column, with the left in front, will form it-
self to the ri<r/it into line of battle, according to the
same principles; the left guide of the left company
will place himself, at the first command, on the di-
rection <tf the right guides, in a manner correspond-
ing to what is prescribed, No. 39J. for the right guide of
the right company.
400. At the command guides posts, the ca])tains
will take their places in line of battle as well as the
guides. This rule is general for all formations into
line of battle in ichich the companies arc aligned by
the left.
401. A column by division may form itself into line
of battle by the same commands, and means, but
observing whiit follows : if the right be in front, at
the command halt, given by the chiefs of division, the
left guule of each right company will pliice himself
on the alignment opposite to one <»f the three files on
the left of his company ; the left guide <if the first
cempiiny will be assured on the direction by the lieu-
tenant colonel; the left guides of the other right
companies will align themselves correctly on the di-
vision guides ; to this end, the division guides fou the
alignment) will invert, and hold their pieces up per-
pendicularly before the centre of their bodies, at the
command left into line, tchcel. If the c<dumn by di-
vision lie with the left in front, the right guides of
left companies will conform themselves to what has
just been prescribed for the left guides of right com-
SCHOOL OK THE BATTALI N— PART IV. 91
panics, and place themselves on the line opposite to
one of the three right files of their respective com-
panies.
40*2. A column in march will be foi-mod into line,
without halting, by the same commands and moans.
At the command march, the guides will halt in their
places, and the lieutenant colonel will promptly rec-
tify their positions.
403. If, in forming the column into line, the colonel
should wish to move forward, without halting, he will
command:
1. By companies left irhcel. 2. MARCH (or double
quick— March).
404. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the captains, each company will wheel to the left on
a fixed j)ivot, as prescribed in the school of the com-
pany, Xo. 201 ; the lelt guides will step back into the
rank of file closers before the w^ieel is completed,
and when the right of the companies shall arrive near
the line, the colonel will command:
3. Foricard. 4. March. 5. Guide centre.
405. At the fnnrth c(»mmand, given at the instant
the wheel is <'«»ni]»lrted, the compiiiiies will march di-
rectly to the front. At the fifth command, the coh»r
and the genoral guides will movQ rapidly six paces to
the front. The c<donel will assure the direction of
the color, the captains of comjianies and the men
will, at once, conform themselves to the principles of
the march in line of battle, to be hereinafter indi-
cated, No. 587, and following.
92 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
406. The same principles are applicable to a col-
uuju left iu frout.
By inversion to the light (or left) into line of battle.
407. When a column, light in front, shall be under
the necessity of forming itself into line faced to the
reverse flank, and the colonel shall wish to execute
this formation by the shortest movement, he will com-
mand :
1. By inversion, right into line, zchcel. 2. Battalion,
guide right.
408. At the first connnand, the lieutenant colonel
will place himself in tront, and facing to the right
guide of the leading subdivision ; at the second com-
mand, he will rectify, as promptly as possible, the
direction of the right guides of the colunm ; the
captain of the odd company, if there be one, and the
column be by division, ;\ ill promptly bring the right
of his company on the direction, and at company dis-
tance fr m the division next in front; the left guide
of the leading sulxlivision will i)lace himself <»n the
direction of the right guides, and will be assured iu
his positiim by the lieutenant colonel; which being
executed, the colonel will command :
3. March (or double quicfc—MARCU).
409. At this, the right front rank man of each sub-
division will face to the right, rest his breast lightly
against the left arm of his guide, and the battalion
SCH«-OL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 93
will form itself to the right into line of battle, ac-
cording to the principles prescribed ; which being
executed, the colonel will command:
Guides — Posts.
410. If the colmnn be with the left in front, it will
form itself, by inversion, to the left into line, accord-
ing to the s:ime principles.
411. If the colonel should wish the battalion, when
formed into line of battle, to be moved forward, the
m(»v«'in('nt will be executed by the commands, and
according to the principles indicated in No. 4():i; al-
ways preceding the command, by companies right (or
left) wheel, by the command, by inversion.
Successive Formations.
412. Under the denomination of successive forma-
tions are included all those formations where the
several subdivisitnis of a column arrive one after an-
other on the line (»f battle ; such are formations on
the right, or left, forward and faced to the rear into
line of battle, as well as deployments of columns in
mass.
413. The successive formations which may be or-
dered when the c(»lumn is marching, and is to con-
tinue marching, will be executed by a coujbinatiou (»f
the two gaits, quick and double quick time.
94 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
2d. Column at full distance, on the right (or onJhe
left), into line of battle.
414. A column by company, at full distance and
right in front, having to form itself on the right into
line of battle, the colonel will indicate to the lieuten-
ant colonel a little in advance, the point of appui, or
rest, for the right, as well as the point of direction to
the left; the lieutenant colonel will hasten with two
markers, and establish them in the following manner
on the diiection indicated.
415. Tlie first marker will be placed at the pitint
of appui for the right front rank man of the leading
company ; the second will indicate the point where
one of the three left files of the same company, will
rest when in line; they will be placed so as to pre-
sent the right shoulder to the battalion when formed.
41G. These dispositions being made, the cokuiel
will command :
1. On the right, into line. 2. Battalion, guide right.
417. At the second command, the right will be-
come the directing flank, and the touch of the elbow
will be to that side ; the right guide of the leading
company will march straight forward until up with
the turning point, and each foHowing guide will
march in the trace of the one immediately pre; eding.
418 The leading company being nearly up with
the first marker, its ca})tain will connnaud; 1. Right
turn, and w^hen the company is precisely up with this
marker, he will add : 2. March.
/'■'^p.
MWMimi^
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART VL 95
419. At the command march, the company will
turn to the ripht; the right guide will so dirt-ct him-
self as to bring the man next to him opposite to the
right marker, and when at three paces Irum him, the
captain will command:
1. First compnmj. 2. HALT.
420. At the second command, the company will
halt; the files, not yet in line, will form promptly;
the left guide will retire as u file closer; and the cap-
tain will then command:
3. Righi — Dress.
421. At this command, the company will align it-
self; the two men who find themselves opposite to the
two markers, will each liglitly rest his breast against
the right arm of his marker; the captain, passing to
the right of the frcuit rank, will direct the aligmnent
on thest; tw<t men. These rules are general for all
successive formations.
422. The second company will continue to march
straightforward; wln-n arrived oj)posite to the left
flank of the jjreccdinn company, it will turn to ^he
right, and be formed on th»' line of battle, as has just
been prescribi-d ; the right guide will direct himself
8o as to come upon that liiu? by the side of the man
on the left of the first company.
423. At the distance of three paces from the line
of battle, the company will be halt«»d by its captain,
who will place himseh I'r.Aly by the side of the man
i
96 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
on the left of the precediiig coiupjinj-, and align Iiim
self correctly on its front rank.
424. The left fjuide will, at the same time, place II
himself before one of the tliree left files of liis com-
pany, and facing to the right, he will })laee himself
accurately on the divection of the two markers of
the preceding company.
425. The captain will then command:
Right Dress.
42G At this command, the second company will
dress forward on the line; the captain will direct its
alignment on the front rank man who has rested his
breast against the left guide of the company.
427. The following companies will thus come suc-
cessively to form themselves on the line of battle,
each conforming itself to what has just been pre-
scribed for tluMMie next to the right; and when they
shall all be established, the colonel will command:
Guides— FOSTS.
• 428. At this command, the guides will take their
places in line of battle, and the markers placed be-
fore the right company will retire.
429. If the column be marching in quick time, and
the colonel should wish to cause the movement to be
executed in double quick time, he will add the com-
mand : Double quick — Makcm. At the command
march, all the companies will take the double quick
SCFIOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 97
stop, and tlse movement will be executed as prescrib-
ed, No. 417, and following.
■\:]0. The coloufl will follow up the formation, pas-
sing along in front, and being alwa3s oi)p(»siteto the
C(»mpany about to turn : it is thus that he will be the
better able to see and to correct the error that would
r<'.sult from a C(»uuuand given too soon or too late to
the preceding company.
431. The lieutenant colonel will, with the greatest
care, assure the direction of the guides; to this end,
the instant that the markers are established for the
lending company, he will move a little beyond the
point at whicli the left of the next company will
rest, establish himself correctly on the prolongation
of the two markers, and assure the guide of the se-
cond company on this direction; this guide being as-
sured, tlie lieut«'nant C(donel will place himself far-
ther to the rear, in order to assure, in like manner,
the guide of the third company, and so on succes-
sively, to the left of the battalion. In assuring the
guides in their pssiticms on the line of battle, he will
take care to let tliom first place thems<_*lves, and con-
fine himself to rectifying their positions if they
do not cover accurately, and at the i)roper distance,
the preceding guide's or markers. This rule is gen-
eral for all fsitccrssirc formations.
4:V2. A column, left in front, will form itself on the
left into line <if battle according to the same princi-
plrs: the Ciiptains will gi. to the left of their respec-
tive compMiiies to align them, and shift afterwards to
their prop<T flanks, as prescribed, No. 4!.0.
7
98 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
Remarks on the formation on the right, or left, into line
of battle.
433. In order that this movement may be executed
with refjularity, it is necessary to establisii the line of
battle so that the guide of each company, after turn-
ing, may have at least ten steps to take, in order to
come upon that line.
434. In the first exercises, the line of battle will
be established on a direction parallel to that of the
column : but when the captains and guides shall com-
prehend the mechanism of the movement, the colonel
will generally choose (»bli(ine directions, in order to
habituate the battalion to form itself in any direc-
tion.
435. When the direction of the line of battle forms
a sensible angle with that of tiie march of the column,
the Cidonel, before beginning the movement, will give
the head ol the column a new direction parallel to
that line: to this end, he will indicate to the guide of
the leading comj)any a point in advance, on which
this guide will inunediately direct himself, and the
Comi)any will conform itself to the direction of its
guide, at the command, or on a mere caution, of the
captain, according as tlie change ol direction nuiy re-
quire : each following company will nuike the same
movement, on the same ground, as it shall successive-
ly arrive. ]iy this means the guides of all the com-
panies in the column will have, after turning, nearly
the same numlxir of paces t<» take in order to come
upon the line of battle.
436. Every captain will always observe, in placing
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 99
himself on that lino, not to give the command dress,
until alter the guide of his compaey shall have been
assured on the direction by the lieutenant colonel.
This rule is general for all successive formations.
437. Each captain will cause his company to sup-
port arms, the instant that the captain, who follows
him, shall have commanded /rowf. This rule is gen-
eral for all successive formations.
438. When in the execution of this movement, the
colonel shall wish to commence firing, he will give
the order to that effect to the captain whose compa-
ny is the first in line of battle: this captain will im-
mediately place himself behind the centre of his com-
pany, and as soon as the next captain shall have com-
manded front, he will commence the fire by file, by
the connnands prescribed, school of the company.
At the command/rc by file, the marker at the outer
file of this first company will retire, and the other
will place himself against the nearest man of the
Hext company. The captain of the latter will com-
mence firing as soon as the captain of the third com-
pany, in line, shall have conmianded//7>H<; the mark-
er bef(»re the nearest file of the sec(»nd company, in
line, will now retire, and the guide before the oppo-
site tlank will place himself before the nearest file of
the third company, in line, and so on, in continuation,
to the last company on the left or rij,'ht of the battal-
ion, according as the formation may have c(tmnienced
with the right or left in front.
43). In all the successive formations, the same
principles will be observed for the execution of the
fire by file. This fire will always be executed by the
command of each captain of company.
100 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART IV.
3d. Column at full distance, foncard into line of battle.
440. A column being by company, at full distance,
right in front, and at a halt, wlien the colonel shall
wish to form it forward into line, he will conform
to what is prescribed Nos. 414 and 415, and then
command :
1. Foncard into line. 2. By company, left Italf icheel.
3. March (or doiddc quick— ^L\KCU).
441. At the first comnuind, the captain of the lead-
ing company will add — guide right, i)ut the company
in march, halt it three paces fi-om the markers, and
align it against the latter by the right.
442. At the command march, all the other Compa-
nies will wheel to the lef!t on fixed pivots; and, at
the instant the colonel shall judge, according to the
direction of the line of battle, that the companies
have suflficientty wheeled, he will comnuind:
4. Foncard. 5. Maucii. G. Guide right.
443. At the fifth command, the companies ceasing
to wheel, will march' straight forward; and at the
sixth, the men will touch elbows towards the right.
The right guide of the second company, who is near-
est to the line of battle, will march straight forward;
each succeeding right guide will follow the file im-
mediately before him at the cessation of the wheel.
444. The second company having arrived opposite
.^-U^
^
J
zy
V' ■'■\
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^^
t-
ifCIIOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 101
to the left file of the first, its captain will cause it to
turn to the right, in order to approach the line of bat-
tle ; and wlien its right guide shall be at three paces
from that line, the capiain will command:
1. Second company. 2. Halt.
445. At the second commaud, the company will
halt; the files not yet in line with the guide will
cniiie into it promptly, the left guide will place him-
self on the line of battle, so as to be opposite to one
of the three files on the left of the company; and as
soon as he is assured on the direction by the lieuten-
ant colonel, the captain, having placed himself accu-
rately on the line of battle, will command :
3. Right— Dress.
410. At the instant that the guide of the second
company begins to turn to the right, the guide of the
third, ceasing to follow the file immediately before
him, will march straight forward ; and, when he shall
arrive opposite to the left of the second, his captain
will cause the company to turn to the right, in order
to approach the line of battle, halt it at three paces
from that line, and align it by the right, as prescribed
for the second company.
447. Each following company will execute what
has just been i)rescribed (or tlie third, as the preced-
ing company shall turn to the right, in order to ap-
proach the hue of battle.
102 ycnooL of the battalion— part iv.
448 The formation ended, the colonel will com-
mand :
Guides — POSTS.
440. The colonel and lieutenant colonel will ob-
serve in this formation, what is prescribed for them
on the ri<j;ht into line.
450. A column left in front, w^ill form itself for-
ward into lijie of battle according to the same prin-
ciples and by inverse means.
451. When a column by company at full distance,
ripht in front, and in march, shall arrive behind the
right of the line on whic^i it is to form into battle,
the colonel and lieutenant colonel will conform them-
selves to what is prescribed Nos. 414 and 415.
452. The head of the column having arrived at
company distance from the two markers established
on the line, the colonel will command:
1. Fonrard into line. 2. By coinpany, left luilf wheel.
3. March (or douhle quick — Mar(;ii).
45'.5. At the first connuand, the captain of the first
company will command. Guide right, aiul caution it
to nuirch directly to the front, the captains of the
other companies will caution them to wheel to the
left.
454. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the captains, the first company will continue to march
to the front, takijig the touch of elbows to the right.
Its chief will halt it at three paces from the mark-
ers, and align it by the right. The other companies
will wheel to the left on fixed pivots, and at the in-
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 103
stant tlio cctloncl sIimII juflye that they have wheeled
sufficiently, he will Cduunand :
4. Forward. 5. Marcr. 6. Guide risrht.
455. At the fifth eoimnaiid, the companies will
cease to wheel and nmvc forward. At the sixth, they
will take the touch of elbows to the right. The
movement will be executed as previously explained.
4.")6. If the Colonel should wish to form the column
forward into line, and to continue to march in this
order, he will not cause markers to be established ;
the movement w ill be executed in double r^uick time'
by the same commands and means, but with the fol-
lowing modifications.
457. At the first command, the captain of tlie first
com])any will add quich time after the command ^wirfc
right. At the sec(Mid command, the fiist company
will Continue to march in quick time, and will take
the touch of elbows to the right; its chief will im-
mediately ))lac<' himself on its right, and to assure
tli«,' march will take j)oints of direction to the front.
'Ihe captain of the second company will cause his
company to take the same gait as po(m as it shall ar-
rive on a line with the first, and will als(» move to the
right of his oompany ; the captains of the third and
fourth companies will execute successively what has
just been preseribed for the second. The companies
will jireserve tlie touch of elbows to the right, until
tlie command, guide centre.
458. Wlieu the color comjiany shall have entered
104 SCHOOL OF TUV. BATTALION— PART IV.
the linf , tlie colonel will coinmand (riiide centre. At
this eouniiaiKl, the color-bearpr ami the right general
guitle \\[]\ move rapidly six paces in advance of the
line. The colonel will assure the direction of the
color-bearer. Tlie lieutenant colonel and the right
coni])anies will ininiediately conform tliemselves to
the i)rinciples of the march in line of battle. The
left companies and the left general guide, as they ar-
rive ou the line, will also conform to tlie same prin-
ciples. If the column be marching in double quick
time, when the last comjjany shall have arrived on the
line, the colonel will cause the double quick to be
resumed.
. 459. It is not necessary that the movement be en-
tirely completed, before halting the battalion. As
soon as the part of the battalion already formed shall
have arrived on the line of battle, the colonel will
halt tin* battalion; the companies not in line will
each complete the movement.
Re
marks on t/ic formation foriranl , into line of battle.
400. The precision of this movement depends on
the direction tli(^ companies have at the moment the
cohuiel commands 7V;r»7//v/— Makcii. The colonel
will judge nicely the point of time for giving this
command, observing that, if the direction of the line
of battle form with that of the colunm a right, or
nearly a right angle, the com])ai)ies <»ught to wheel
about the eighth of the circle, and that the more accu-
rate the angle formed by the two directions, so much the
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART IV. 105
more tbo compnnies ought to wheel before inarching
straight forward. ^
401. It is impitrtant that each company in march-
ing towards the line of battle should turn exactly
oi)posite the point where its capt;iin ought to place
himself on that line; if a company turn too soon, it
will find it self masked, in part, by that which pre-
ceded it on the line of battle, and be obliged to uu-
m.isk itsi'lf by the oblique step; if it turn too late,
it will leave an interval between itself and the pre-
ceding company to be regained in like manner. In
either cnse, the next company will be led into error,
and the fault propagated to the opposite flank of the
battalion.
402. The guide of each company ought so to regu-
late himself in turning, as tobring his company to the
halting point parallelly with tl;e line of battle.
403. If the angle formed by the liiie of battle and
the primitive directicm of the column be so acute, that
the companies on arriving o})posite to their respec-
tive plares on the line of battle, find themselves near-
ly ])arallol to it, the (•a])t;iins will not give the com-
m;nid, riiiht (or Irft) turn, lint each h.ilt his compa-
ny, ])lac»' himself on the line, and c<unmand:
Eight (or /f//)— Dress.
404. If, <»n the contrary, the angle f jmi-^d by the
line of battle and the primitive direction of the
cohnnn be much greater than a right angle, the for-
mation should b(; executed, not by the movement /or-
icard into line of battle, but by that of o« the right (or
106 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
left) into line of battle, and accoidiug to the princi-
ples prescribed for this fori^ation.
465. If a company encounter an obstncle sufficient
to prevent it from marching by the front, it will right
(or left) face in marching, by the commnnds and
means indicated in the school of the company, Nos.
314 and 315. The guide will continue to folh.w the
same file behind which he was marching, and will
maintain exactly the same distance from the compa-
ny immediately preceding his own. The obstacle be-
ing passed, the company will be formed into line by
the command of its captain.
Ath. Column at full distance, faced to the rear, into
line of battle.
466. A column being by company, at full distance,
right in front, and at a halt, when the coh)uel shall
wish to form it into line faced to the rear, he and the
lieutenant colonel will conform themselves to what is
prescribed Nos. 414 and 415, and the colonel will
then command:
1. Into line, faced to the rear. 2. Battalion, right —
Face. 3. March (or douhle quick — March).
467. At the first command, the captain of the lead-
ing company wall cause it to face to the right, and put
it in march, causing it to wheel by file to the left, and
direct its march towards the line of battle which it
will pass in rear of the left marker; the first file
having passed three paces beyond the line, the com-
pany will wheel again by file to the left, in order to
/ /' .'^
•
•4i
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^
■ TOWMifiJi!:! !''fMiMitfiiiiiiifr:'.'miF;(r ;'i;jr;Mif'affffW'BM''i!gf
HUii IT
'WIT
106
lefi) i
pies ]:
465
to pn
(or I
meau
314 a
same
maint
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ing p;
the c<
ith. <
46f
right
wish
lieute
presc
then •
1. In
Fa
4G:
ingc
it in
diroc
will
havii
pany
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 107
]'lice itself in rear of the two markers; being in
this position, its captain will halt it, face it to the
i'v'-mt, and align it by the right against the markers.
468. At the second command, all the other compa-
iiiis will face to the right, each captain placing him-
M li' by the side of his right guide.
4(59, At the command march, the companies will
put themselves in movement; the left guide of the
second, who is nearest to the line of battle, will hasten
in advance to mark that line; he will place himself
on it as prescribed above for successive formntions,
and thus indicate to his captain the point at which he
ought to pass the line of battle, by three paces, in
order to wheel by file to the left, and then to direct
his company parallelly to that line.
470, As soon as the first file of this company shall
have arrived near the left file of the preceding one
already on the line of battle, its captain will com-
mand :
1. Second company. 2. Halt. 3. Front, 4.
Riorht— Dress.
471. The first command will be given when the
company shall yet have four paces to take to reach
the halting point.
472. At the second command, the company will
halt.
473. At the third, the company will face to the
front, and if there be openings between the files, the
latter will promptly close to the right ; the captain
will immediately place himself by the side of the man
108 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
on the left of the preceding company, and align him-
self on its frout rank.
474. The fourth command will be executed as pre-
scribed, No. 426.
475. The following companies will be conducted
and established on the line of battle as just prescrib-
ed for the second, each regulating itself by the one
that precedes it; the left guides will detach them-
selves in time to precede their respective companies
on the line by twelve or fifteen paces, and each place
himself so as to be opposite to one of the three left
files of his company, when in line. If the movement
be executed in double quick time, the moment it is
commenced, all the left guides will detach themselves
at the same time from the column, and will move at
a run, to establish themselves on the line of battle.
476. The fornuition ended, the colonel will com-
mand :
Guides —TosTS.
477. The colonel and lieutenant colonel, in this
formation, will each observe what is prescribed for
him in that of on the right, into line of battle.
478. A column, left in front, will form itself faced
to the rear into line of battle according to the same
principles and by inverse means.
■ 479. If the column be in march, and should arrive
in front of the right of the line on which it is to form
into battle, the colonel and lieutenant colonel will
conform to what is prescribed, Nos. 414 and 415.
480. When the head of the column shall be nearly
SCHOOr- OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 109
at oonipany distance from the two markers establish-
ed on the line, the eoU>nel will command:
]. Into line, faced to the rear. 2. Battalion, hy the
right fank. 3. Marcu (or douhlc quick — March).
4'^!. At the first command, the captains will cau-
tion their companies to face by the right flank.
482. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the captains of companies, all the companies will fiice
to llie rijL'ht; the first company will then wheel by file
to the left, and be directed by its captain a little to
the rear of the left marker; then pass three paces
beyond the line, and wheel agam by file to the left;
havinc arriv.-d on the liue, the captain will halt the
cf»mpany, and align it by the right. The remaining
part of the movement will be executed as heretofore
explained.
4H3. The foregoing principles are applicable to a
column, left in frout.
484. As the companies approach the line of battle,
it i/s necessary that their captains should so direct the
march as t<> cn»s8 that line a little in rear of their re-
spective L'uides, who are faced to the basis of the
formation; lience each guide ought to detach himself
in time to find himself correctly established on the
directi<»n before his company shall come up with
bim.
110 sen )0L UF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
Article Third.
Formation in line of battle by tico movements.
485. If a column by company, riolit in front, and
at a halt, find itself in part on the line of battle, and
the colonel should think proper to foi ni line of bat-
tle before all the companies enter the new direction,
the fornnition will be executed in the foUowing man-
ner.
486. It will be supposed that the colunm has ar
rived behind the line of battle, and that five compa-
nies have entered the new direction. The coU)nel
having assured the guides of the first five companies
on the direction, will command :
1. Left into line, wheel. 2. Three rear companies,
forward into line.
487. At the second connnaiid, the chief of each of
the rear companies wid c(uninand : By company, left
half ichccl; and the colonel will add:
3. March ('or double quick — March).
488. At this command, briskly repeated, the first
five companies will form themselves to the left, into
line of battle, and the three last forward, into litie of
battle, by the means presci-ibed for these respective
formations; each captain of the three rear companies
will, when his company shall have sufficiently wheel-
ed, command :
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. Ill
1. Foncard. 2. March. 3. Guide right.
4S9. If the column be iu march, the c<ilonel will
comma. :d :
1. To the left, and foncard into line. 2. March (or
double quick — MARCH J.
490. At the first command, the captains of those
companies which have not entered on the new direc-
tion, will command: By company, left halfichccl. At
the command march, briskly repeated, the first five
companies will form left into line, and the last three
forward into line, as prescribed for these respective
formations. Tli«)se captains who foi m their companies
forward iut<> line will conform to what is prescribed,
No. 488.
491. If the colonel should wish, in forming the bat-
talion into line, to march it immediately forward, he
will command:
1. By company to the left, and forward into line.
2. March.
492. At the first command, each captain, whose
company is not yet in the new direction, will com-
mand: ]. By company, left half icheel; 2. Double quick.
At the command march, briskly repeated by the cap-
tains, the companies not in the new direction will
execute what is prescribed above f(u-formi g forward
I into linr while marching; each of the other companies
j will wheel to the left on a fixed pivot, and when the
]12 SCHOOL OF THE H ATT A LION -PART IV.
right of those coinpanies shall iirrive (Ui the line, the
colonel will coininand:
3. Foricard. 4. March. 5. Guide centre.
493. The fifth comuiiind will be given when the
color-bearer arrives on the line, if not already there.
494. If the battalion be inarching in donble quick
time, the colonel will cause quick time to be taken
before connnencing the niovemeut.
495. If, instead of arriving behind, the column
should arrive before the line of battle, the colonel will
command :
I. Left into line, ir/tcel. 2. Three rear companies into
line, faced to the rear.
49C. At the second connnand, the cnptain of each
of the three rear companies w'll connnand: ]. Such
company; 2. Right — Fack. The coloiicl will then add:
3. March (or double quick — March).
497. At this command, briskly repeated, the first
five companies \\\\\ form themselves to the left, into
line of battle, and the three la^i faced to the rear, into
line of battle, by the means prescribed for these re-
spective formations.
498. If the column be in inarch, the colonel will
command :
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 113
1. To the Ifft, and into line faced to the rear.
2. March for double quick — Marchj.
499. The movement will be executed as prescribed
Nos. 391, 480, and following.
500. These several movements in a column, left in
fnmt, will be exeeuted according to the same prin-
ciples, and by inverse means.
Article Fourth.
Different modes of passing from column at half dis-
tance, into line of battle.
1. To the left (or right) ^
2. On the right (or left) I- ^ v x- u i.i.i
3. Forward, bj%deployment, ^°*« ^"^« ^^ ^^^t^^-
4. Faced to the rear J
1st. Column at half distance, to the left ('or right)
into line of battle.
501. A column at half distance having to form it-
self to the left (((r right) into line of battle, the co-
lonel will cause it to take distances by one of the
means prescribed. Article IX., Part third, of this
school; which being executed, he will form the col-
umn into line of battle, as has been indicated, No.
390, and following.
502. If a column by company, at half distance, be
in march, and it be necessary t<» form rapidly into line
of battle, the colonel will command :
8
114 SCHOOL (»F THE BATTALION— PART IV.
1 By the rear of colinini left (ov right) into line, trhccl.
2. March Cor r/owWc quick — MarchJ.
503. At the first command, the ri<;ht iiciienil guide
will move riipidly to the front, and jilace liiniself a
little beyond the ])oint where tlie head of the eolumu
will rest, and on the prolongation of the guides. The
captain of the eighth company will command: Left
into line, irltecl ; llie other captains will caution their
companies to continue to mar^-h to the front.
504. At the command ninrch, briskly repeated by
the captain of the eighth company, tiie ruide of this
company will halt sliort, and the company will wheel
to the left, contorming to the prin^ples prescribed
for wheeling from a halt; when its right shall arrive
near tlie line, the captain will halt the company, and
align it by the left. Tiu^ oilier captains will place
themselves briskly on the flank of the ct)liimn; when
the captain of the seventh sees thei-e is sufticient dis-
taiKM' bctwetMi his company and the eighth to form
the latter into line, he will command : Left into line,
trhel — March ; the left guide w ill lialt short, and
facing to the rear, will j)lace himself on the line; the
comiiaiiy will wheel to the left, the man on the left of
the front rank \\\\\ f ice to the h'ft, and place his breast
against the left arm of the guide; the captain will
halt the company when its right shall arrive near the
line, and will align it by the left. The other compa-
nies will conform successively to what has just been
prescribed for the seventh.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 115
505. Each captain will direct the alignment (»f his
company on the left man in the front rank of the com-
pany next on his right.
5UC. The lieutenant colonel will be watchful that
the leading guide marches accurately qu the pro-
longation of the line of battle, and directs himself on
the right general guide. The major, placed iu rear
of the left guide of the eighth company, will, as soon
as the guide of the seventh company is established on
the direction, hasten in rear of the guides of the other
companies, so as to assure each of them in succession
on the line
2d. Column at half distance, on the right (or left) into
line of battle.
507. A column at half distance will form itself on
the right (or left) into line of battle, as prescribed
for a column at flill distance.
Sd. Column at half distance, foricard, into line of
battle.
508. If it be wished to form a column at half dis-
tance, forward into line of battle, the colonel will first
cause it to close in mass and then deploy it on the
leading company.
Ath. Column at half distance, faced to the rear, into
line of battle.
509. A column at half distance will be formed into
line of battle, faced to the rear, as prescribed for a
column at full distance.
116 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
Article Fifth.
Deployment of columns closed in inass.
510. A column in mass may be formed into line of
battle :
1. Faced to the fi'ont, by the deployment.
2. Faced to the rear, by the countermarch and
the deployment.
3. Faced to the right and faced to the left, by a
change of direction by the flank, and the de-
ployment.
511. When a column in mass, by division, arrives
behind the line on which it is intended to depk)y it,
the colonel will indicate, in advance, to the lieutenant
colonel, the direction of the line of battle, as well as
the point on which he may wish to direct the column.
The lieutenant colonel will immediately detach him-
self with two markers, and establish them on that
line, the first at the point indicated, the second a little
less than the front of a division from the first.
512. Deployments w^ill always be made upon lines
parallel, and lines perpendicular to the line of battle :
consequently, if the head of the column be near the
line of battle, the colonel will commence by establish-
ing the direction of the colunm perpendicularly to
that line, if it be not already so, by one of the means
indicated. No. 244 and following, or No. 307 and fol-
lowing. If the column be in march, he will so direct
ill
[
u u w
SCHOOL
OF THE BATT
it that it may arrive exactly h
peiitlicularly to the line of bat
paces from that line.
513. The column, right in f
supposed that the colonel wis!
first division ; he will order tl
go to a point on the line of bat
at which the left of the battal
ployed,, and place himself cor
tiou of the markers establishe
mn.
514 These dispositions bi
will command :
1. On the first ditision, (hploy
left— Fac
515. At the first command
rrY'^'-'''-'^'"" it to stand
'^«f'outmnU. ""P^»J-.^-bo
^p4, first div?'^'f»»''^thr.
hue ..fit...,'"^ "'Vision, and tij^,
r*" battle « f"' ""d thei
J^
J I
u
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALF 'N— PART IV. 117
it that it may arrive exactly behind the markers, per-
pendieidarly to the line of battle, and halt it at three
paces from that line.
513. The column, right in front, being halted, it is
supposed that the colonel wishes to deploy it on the
first division ; he will order the left general guide to
go to a point on the line of battle a little beyond that
at which the left of the battalion will rest when de-
l^loyed. and place himself correctly on the prolonga
tion of the markers established before the. first divi-
sion.
514 These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
1. On the Jii'st division, deploy column. 2. Battalion,
left— Face.
515. At the first command, the chief of the first
division will caution it to stand fast ; the chiefs of the
three other divisions will remind them that they will
have to face to the left.
516. At the second command, the three last divi-
sions will face to the left; the chief of each division
will place himself by the side of its left guide, and
the junior captain by the side of the covering ser-
geant of the left company, who will have stepped into
the front rank.
517. At the same command, the lieutenant colonel
will place a third marker on the alignment of the two
first, opposite to one of the three left tiles of the right
company, first division, and then place himself on the
line of battle a few paces beyond the point at which
the left of the second division will rest.
118 SCIIO L OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
518. The colonel will then coinmaud :
3. March {or double quick — Makciij.
519. At this command, the chief of the first divi-
sion will go to its right, and command :
Eitrht— Dress.
520. At this, the division will dress up against the
markers ; the chief of the division, and its junior cap-
tain, will each align the company on its left, and then
command :
Front.
521. The three divisions, faced to the left, will put
themselves in march ; tlie ]eft guide of tlie second
A^ill direct himself parallelly to the line of battle ; the
left guides of the third and fourth divisions will march
abreast with the guide of the second ; the guides of
the third and fourth, each })reserving the prescribed
distance between hill self and the guide of the divi-
sion which preceded his own in the column.
522. The chief of the second division will not f<il-
low its nujvement; he will see it file by him, and
when its right guide shall be abreast with him, he
will comnumd :
1- Seco7id division. 2. Halt. 2. Front.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV 119
523. The first comniaiiil will be given when the
division shall yet hive seven oreight pnees t(» mareh ;
the second, when the right guide shall be abreast
with the chief of the division, and the third immedi-
ately after the second
524 At the second connnand, the division will halt ;
at the third, it will face to the front, and if there be
openings between the files, the chief of the division
will cause them to be promptly closed to the right ;
the left guides of both companies will step upon the
line of battle, face to the right, and place themselves
on the direction of the markers established before
the first division, each guide opposite to one of the
three left files of his company.
525. The divisiim having faced to the front, its.
chief will place himself accurately on the line of bat-
tle, ou the left of the first division ; and when he shall
see the guides assured on the direction, he will com-
mand, 7^/^/t^ — Diu^ss. At this, the division will be
aligned by the right in the manner indicated for the
first.
526. The third and fourth divisions willccmtinue to
inarch; at the connnand halt; given to the second,
the chief of the third will halt in hi.s own pers(m,
place himself exactly o]jposite to the guide of the
second, after this division shall have faced to the front
and closed its files ; he will see his division file past,
and when his nght guide shall be abreast with him,
he will c<mimand :
1. Third diviiiion. 2. Halt. 3. Front.
527. As soon as the division faces to the front, its
UO SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
chief will i)l;ic'e himself two paces before its centre,
and comniaiid :
1. Third division, forward. 2. Guide right. 3.
Maucii.
528. At the third coniniaiid,tbe division will march
towards the line of battle ; the ri«,dit gnide will so di-
rect himself as to arrive by the side of the man on
the left of the second division, and when the division
is at three paces from the line of battle, its chief will
halt it and align it by the right.
529. The chief of the fourth division will conform
himself (and the chief of the fifth, if there be a fifth)
to what has just been prescribed for the third.
5:50. The d(;ployment end<?d, the colonel will com-
ma nd :
Guides — Posts.
531. At this ccnnmand, the guides will resume
their places in line of battle, and the markers will
retire.
532. If the c lunni be in inarch, aiul the colonel
shall wish to deploy it on the first division without
halting the colunui, he will make the dispositi<ms in-
dicated Nos. 512 and 513, and when the first division
shall have ari'ived at three paces from the line, he
will command :
1. On the first dicision, dt ploy column. 2. Battalion
by the left flank. 3. INIarcii for double quick —
March).
SBHOOL OF TPIE BATTALION- PART IV. 121
533. At the first command, the chief of the first
division will caution it to halt, and will command,
First division ; the other chiefs will caution their di-
visions to face by the left flank.
534. At the command march, briskly repeated by
the chiefs of the rear divisions, the chief of the first
division will command, PIalt, and will align his divi-
sion by the right against the markers ; the other di-
visions will face to the left, their chiefs hastening to
the left of their divisions. The second division will
conform its movements to what is prescribed Nos.
522 and following. The third and fourth divisions
will execute what is prescribed Nos. 526 and follow-
ing; but the chief of each division will halt in his
own person at the command march given by the
chief of the division which precedes him, and when
the right of his division arrives abreast of him, he
will command :
Such division, by the right flank — March.
535. The lieutenant colonel will assure the position
of the guides, conforming to what is prescribed No.
431. The major will follow the movement abreast
with the fourth division.
536. If the colonel shall wish to deploy the column
without halting it, and to continue the march, the
markers will not be posted ; the movement will be
executed by the same comuiands and the same means
as the foregoing, but with the following modifica-
tions :
537 At the first command, the chief of the first
division will command, 1. Guide right. 2. Quick
time. At the command, Double quick — March, given
122 .SCHOOL ON THE BATTALION— PAliT IV.
by the coloiu'l, t!ie first division will m;irch iu quick
time and will t.iko the touch of elbows to the right ;
the captiiins will i)lace themselves on tlie right of
their respective companies; the captain on the right
of the battalion will take points on the ground to as-
sure the direction of the march. The chief of the
second division will allow his division to tile past
him, and when he sees its right -ibreast of him, he
will command, 1. Second dirision by the right flunk.
2. Mauch. '^. Guide right, and when this division shall
arrive on the alignment of the first, he will cause
it to march in quick time. The third and fourth-di-
visions will deploy according to the same principles
at the second.
538. The c<donel, lieutenant colonel, major, ar.d co-
lor-bearer will conform themselves to what is pre-
scribed No. 458.
539. The c«donel will see, pending the movement,
that the princii)lcsjust prescribed are duly observed,
and particul.irly that the divisions, in deploying, be
not halted t(to soon nor toi) hite. He \^■ill C(»rrect
promptly and <piickly the iaults that may be commit-
ted, and prevent their jtropagation. This rule is
general for all dcploijnieuts.
540. The column being at a halt, if, instead of de-
ploying it on llie first, the colonel shall wish to de-
ploy it on the rearmost division, he will cause the dis-
positions to be made indicated No. 5J1 and foUowiiig;
but it will be the right general guide whom he will
send to phice himself beyond the p<tint at which the
right of the battalion will rest when deployed.
541. The colonel will then command:
SCHOOL OF THE RATTALI" N— PART IV. 123
1. On the fourth ('or sucL) division, deploy column.
2. Battalion, right— Face.
542. At the first coinuiand, the chief of the fourth
division will caution it to stand fast ; the chiets of the
other divisions will caution them that they will have to
face to the right.
543. At the second command, the first three divi-
sions will face to the right ; and the chief of each
will place himself by the side of its right guide.
544. At the same command, thf^ lieutenant colonel
will place a third marker between the first two, so
that this marker may be opposite to one of the
three right files of the left company of the division;
the lieutenant colonel will then place himself on the
line of battle a few paces beyond the point at which
the right of the third division will rest when de-
ployed.
545. The colonel will then command :
3. March (or douLlc quick — March j.
546. At this command, the three right divisions will
put themselves in march, the guided of the first so di
recting himself as to pass thi-ee paces within the line
marked by the right general guide. The chief of the
third division will not folhnv its movement ; he will
see it file past, halt it when its l&ft guide shall be
abreast with him, and cause it to face to the front ;
and, if there be openings between the files, he will
cause them to be promptly closed to the left.
124 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
547. Tho chief of the fourth division, when he sees
it nearly unmasked by the three others, will com-
mand :
1. Fourth division, forward . 2. Guide left.
3. March.
548. At the ctmimand march, which will be given
the instant the fourth is unmasked, this division will
approach the line of battle, and when at three paces
from the markers on that line, its chief will halt it,
and command:
Left— Dress.
549. At this command, the division will dress for-
ward against the markers ; the chief of the division
and the junior captain will each align the company
on his right, and then command ;
Front.
550. The instant that the third division is unmask-
ed, its chief will cause it to approoch the line of bat-
tle, and halt it in the manner just prescribed for
the fourth.
551. The moment the division halts, its right guide
and the covering sergeant of its left company will
step on the line of battle, placing themselves on
the prolongati<m " of the markers established in
frontof the fourth division ; as soon as they shall be
assured in their positions, the division will be aligned
as has just been prescribed for the fourth.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 125
552. The second and first divisions which will have
continned to march, will, in succession, be halted and
aligned by the left, in the same manner as the third;
the chiefs of these divisions will conform themselves
to what is prescribed, No. 5'2(3. The second being
near the line of battle, the command will not b(; giv-
en for it to move on this line but it will be dressed
up to it.
553. The deployment ended, the colonel will com-
mand:
Guides— FosTS.
554. At this command, the chiefs of division and
the guides will resume their places in line of battle,
and the markers will retire.
555. The lieutenant colonel will assure the posi-
tions of the guides by the means indicated. No. 431,
and the major will follow the movement abreast with
the fourth division.
556. If the column be in march, and the colonel
shall wish to deploy it on the fourth division, he will
make the dispositions indicated. No. 511 and follow-
ing; and when the head of the column shall arrive
within three paces of the line, he will command :
1. On the fourth division, deploy column. 2. Battal-
ion, by the right flank. 3. March (or double quick —
March).
557. At the first command, the chief of the fourth
division will caution it to halt, and will command.
Fourth division; the chiefs of the other divisions
will caution their divisions to face to the right.
12G SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART IV.
558. At the command march, briskly repented by
the chiefs of the first three divisions, the. eliief of the
fourth will command : Halt. Tlie first three divi-
sions will face to the right, and be directed parallelly
to the line of battle. The chief of eacli of these
divisions will place himself by the side of its right
guide. The chief of the tliird division will see liis
division file past him, and when his left guide is
abreast of him, he will halt it, and face it to the
front. The chief of the fourth division, wlien he
shall see it nearly unmasked, will command: 1.
Fourth division foricard ; 2. Guide left; 3. MARfll
(or double quick — March). Tliis division will nu)ve
towards the line of battle, and when at three paces
from this line, it will be halted by its chief, and align-
ed by the left.
559. The chief of the third division will move his
division forward, cojitorming to what has just been
prescribed for the fourth.
560. The chiefs of the second and first divisions,
after halting their divisions, will conform to what is
prescribed. No. 552.
561 If the colonel should wish to deploy on the
fourth division, without halting the column, and to
continue to march forward, he will not have markers
posted, and tlie movement will be executed by the
same conuuandsaud the same means, with the follow-
ing modificiitions: the iiuirth division, when un-
masked, will be moved forward in quick tinu', and
will Ctuitinue to nuirch, instead of being halted, and
will take the touch of elbows to the left. The third
division, on being unmasked, will be moved to the
fyu:t in double quick time, but when it arrives on the
SCH OL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 127
'alignment of the fourth it will take the quick step,
and dress to the left until theconinuind Guide centre,
lis given by the colonel. The chiefs of the second and
Hrst divisions will conform to what has been pre-
scribed for the third. When the first divisiim shall
arrive on the line, the colonel may cause the battal-
ion to take the double quick step.
5G2. The colonel and lieutenant colonel will con-
form to what has been'piescribed, Nos. 458 and
459.
563. To deploy the column on an interior division,
the colonel will cause the line to be traced by the
means above indicated, and the general guides will
move briskly on the line, as prescribed, Nos. 513 and
54i>. This being executed, the colonel will com-
mand :
1. On such division, deploy column. 2. Battalion
outicards— Face. 3. March (or double quick —
March.)
564. Whether the column be with the right or left
in front, the divisions which, in the (trder in battle,
belong to the right of the directing one, will face to
the right ; the others, except the directing division,
will face to the left ; the divisions in front of the lat-
ter will deploy by the means indicated. No. 542, and
following: those in its rear will deploy as is pre-
scribed, No. 513, and following.
565. The directing division, the instant it finds it-
self mimasked, will approach the line of battle, taking
123 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV.
the guide left or right, according as the riglit or left
of the coluniii may be in front. The chit'f of tliis di-
vision will align it by tht^ directing flank, and then
step back into the rear, in order uionientarily to give
place to the chief of the next for aligning the next
division.
566. The lientenant colonel will assnre the posi-
tions of the gnides of divisions, which in the line of
battle, take the right of the directing division, and
the major will assure the p(>sitions of the other guides.
567. If the column be iu march, the colonel will
command:
1. On such division, deploy column. 2. Battalion,
by the right and left flanks. 3. MARCH Cor dou
hie quick — MARCH.)
568. The divisions which are in front of the di-
recting one will deploy by the means indicated, Nos.
557, and following; those in rear, as prescribed, No.
533, and following.
569. The directing division, when unmasked, will j
conform to what is prescribed for the fourth division,
No. 558.
570. The colonel, lieutenant ctdonel and major will
conform to what has been prescribed, Nos. 458 and
459.
571. In a column, left in front, deployments will be
executed according to the same principles, and by in-
verse means.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 129
Remarks on the deployment of columns, closed in
mass.
572. All the divisions ought to deploy rectangularly,
to march otF abreast, and to preserve their distances
towards the line of battle.
57:1 Each division, the instant that it is unmasked,
ought to be marched towards the line of battle, and
to be aligned upon it by the flank next to the direct-
ing division ; the latter, whether the right or left be
in front, will always be aligned by the fliink next to
the point'of appiti, when the deph»ynient is made on
the first or last division ; but if the column be de-
ployed on an interior division, this division will be
aligned by the flank which teas tliat of direction.
574. The chiefs of division will see that, in deploy-
ing, the principles prescribed for marching by the
flank are well observed, and if openings between the
files occur, which ought not to happen except on
broken or diflicult grounds, the openings ought to be
promptly closed towards the directing flaiik as soon
as the divisions face to the frcmt.
575. If a chief of division give the cammand halt,
or the command, hy the right or left flank, too soon
or too late, his division will be obliged to oblique tc
the right or left in approaching the liise of battle, and
his fault may lead the following subdivision iato
error.
576. In the divisions which deploy by the left flank,
it is always the left guide of each company who ought
to place himself on the line of battle, to mark the
9
]30 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART IV.
direction; in divisions wiiicli deploy b}' the right
flank, it is the right guide.
577. A column by company, closed in mass, may
be formed to the lelt or to the right into line, in the
same manner as a column at half distance, and by
the means indicated, No. 5U2, and following.
578. A column by company, closed in mass, may
be formed on the right or on the left into line of
battle, as a column at half distance ; but in order to
execute this movement, without arresting the march
of the column, it is necessary that the guides avoid,
with the greatest care, shortening the step in turning,
and that the men near them, resijectivcly, conform
themselves rapidly to the movements of their guides.
Remarks on inversions.
579. Inversions giving frequently the means of
forming line of battle, in the promptest manner, are
of great utility in the movements of au army.
580. Tlie ai)plication that may be made of inver-
sions in ftie formations to the right and to the left in
line of battle, has been indicated. No. 407, and fol-
lowing. Tliey may also be advantageously employed
in the successive formations, except in that of faced
to the rear, into line of battle.
581. Formations, by inversion, will be executed ac-
cording to the same pi-inciples as formations in the
direct order: but the colonel's first connnand w'ill al-
ways begin by inversion.
582. The battalion being in line of battle by inver-
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART IV. 131
sion, when the colonel shall wish, by forming it into
column, to bring it back to the direct order, he will
cause it either to break or to ploy by company, or by
division, accordingly as the column may have been
by company or by division before it had been formed
into line of battle by inversion.
583. When a battalion in line of battle, formed by
inversion, has to be ployed into column, the move-
ment will be executed according ^ the same prin-
ciples as if the line were in the direct order, but ob-
serving what follows.
584. If it be intended that the column shall be by
division, with the first in front, or by company, with
the first company in front, the colonel will announce
in the second command — left in front, because the
battalion being in line of battle by inversion, that sub-
division is on the left.
585. Each chief whose subdivision takes position in
the column in front of the directing one, will conduct
his subdivision till it halts; and each chief whose sub-
division takes position in rear of the directing one,
will halt in his own person when up with the pre-
ceding right guide, and see his subdivision file past ;
and each chief will align his subdivision by the right.
When the column is to be put in march, the second
command will be — guide left, because the proper
right is in front.
586. For the same reason, if it be intended that
the last subdivision shall be in front, right in front,
will be announced in the second comnjuiidj he sub-
divisions will be aligned by the left, and to put the
132 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-rART V.
column in mareli, tbo Krcdnd command ^vill 1 o, gui(l<
right, because the proper left is iu front.
PART FIFTH.
Article First.
To adcance in line of battle.
587. The battalion being correctly aligned, and
supposed to be the directing one, when tlie colonel
shall wish to march in line of battle, be will give the
lieutenant colonel an intimation of his purpose, place
himself about forty paces in rear of the color-iile, and
face to the front.
588. The lieutenant coh)nel will place himself a like
distance in front of the same file, and face to the
colonel, who will establish him as correctly as jxks-
sible, by signal of the sword, peri)endicularly to the
line of battle opposite to the color-bearer. The co-
lonel will next, above the heads of the lieutenant
colonel and color-bearer, take a point of direction in
the field beyond, if a distinct one present itself, ex-
actly iu the prolongation of those first two points.^
589. The colonel will then move* twenty paces fiir-
ther to the rear, and establish two markers on the
prolongation of tlie straight line jjassing through the
color-bearer and the lieutenantcolonel ; these mai-kera
will face to the rear, the first placed about twenty-
five paces behind the rear rank of the battalion, and
the second at the same distance from the first.
1^
^ H
-H H .J-
132 SCI
column in
right, becj
587. Th
supposed 1
shall wish
lieutenant
himself ab
face to th«
588. Th
distance ii
colonel, w
sible, by s
line of bat
lonel will
colonel an
the field b
actly in tl
589. Tl
therto tl
prolongati
color-bear
will face
five paces
the secon<
I
-KzrTK
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 133
590. The color-bearer will be instructed to take,
the moment the lieutenant colonel shall be establish-
ed on the perpendicular, two points on the ground in
the straight Hue which, drawn from himself, would
pass between the heels of that officer; the first of
these points will be taken at fifteen or twenty paces
from the color-bearer.
591. These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
1. Battalion, for icard.
592. At this, the front rank of the color-guard will
advance six paces to the fiont; the corporals in the
rear rank will place themselves in the front rank, and
these will be replaced by those in the rank of file clos-
ers ; at the same time the two general guides will
move in advance, abreast with the color-bearer, the
one on the right, opposite to the captain of the right
company, the other opposite to the sergeant who
closes the left of the battalion.
593. The captains of the left wing will shift, pass-
ing before the front rank, to the left of their respec-
tive companies ; the sergeant on the left of the battal-
ion will step back into the rear rank. The covering
sergeant of the company next on the left of the color-
company, will step into the front rank.
594. The lieutenant colonel having assured the col-
or-bearer on the line between himself and the corpo-
ral of the color-file, now in the front rank, will go to
the position which will be hereinafter indicated. No.
602.
134 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
595. The major will i)lace himsolf six or eight paces
on either flank of the color-rank.
596. The colonel will then command:
2. March (or double quick — March).
597. At this command, the battalion will step off
with life; the color-bearer, charged with the step and
direction, will scrnpnlonsly observe the length and
cadence of the pace, marching on the prolongation of
the two points previously taken, and successively tak-
ing others in advance by the means indicated in the
school of the company; the corporal on his right, and
the one on his left, will march in the same step, tak-
ing care not to turn the head or shoulders, the color-
bearer supporting the color-Ianee against the hip.
598. The two general guides will march in the
same step with the color-rank, each maintaining him-
self abreast, or nearly so, with that rank, and neither
occupying himself with the movement of the other.
599. The three corporals of the color-guard, now
in the front rank of the battalion, will march well
aligiK'd, elbow to clliow, heads direct to tlie fi'ont,
and without deranging the line of their shoulders;
the centre one will Ibllow exactly in the trace of the
color-bearer, and maintain the same step, without
lengthening or shortening it, except on an intimation
from the cohmel or lieutenant colonel, although he
should find himself more or less than six paces from
the color-rank.
SCHOOL OF TEIE BATTALION— PART V. 135
600. The covering sergeant in the front rank be-
tween the color-comi)any and the next on the left,
will march elbow to elbow, and on the same line, with
the three corporals in the centre, his head well to the
front.
601. The captains of the color-company, and the
company next to the left, will constitute, with the
three corporals in the centre of the front rank, the
basis of alignment lor both wings of the battalion;
they will march in the same step with the color-bear-
er, and exert themselves to maintain their shoulders
exactly in the square with the direction. To this end,
they will keep their heads direct to the front, only
occasionally casting an eye on the three centre cor-
porals, with the slightest possible turn of the neck,
and if they perceive themselves in advance, or in rear
of these corporals, the captain, or two captains, will
almost insensibly shorten or lengthen the step, so as,
i at the end of several paces, to regain the true align-
ment, without giving sudden checks or impulsions to
the wings beyond them respectively.
602. The lieutenant colonel, placed twelve or fif-
teen paces on the right of the captain of the color-
company, will maintain this captain and the next one
beyond, abreast with the three centre corporals; to
this end, he will caution either to lengthen or to short-
en the step as may be necessary, which the captain, or
two captains, will execute as has just been explained.
G03. All the other captains will maintain them-
selves on the prolongation of this basis; and, to this
end, they will cast their eyes towards the centre, tak-
136 SCHOOL OF THE BATTAI, ION— PART V.
ing care to turn the neck but sliirhtly, and not to de-
range the direction of their shoulder.
604. The captains will observe the march of their
companies, and prevent the men from getting in ad-
vance of the line of captains; they will not lengthen
or shorten step except when evidently necessary; be-
cause, to correct, with too scrupulous attention, small
faults, is apt to cause the production of greater — loss
of calmness, silence, and equality of step, each of
which it is so important to maintain.
605. The men will constantly keep their heads well
directed to the front, feel lightly the elbow towards
the centre, resist pressure coming from the flank,
give the greatest attention to the squareness of should-
ers, and hold themselves always very slightly behind
the line of the captains, in order never to shut out
from the view of the latter the basis of alignment;
they will, from tinu^ to time, cast an eye on the col-
or-rank, or on the general guide of the wing, in order
to march constantly in the same step with those ad-
vanced persons.
608. Pending the march, the line determined by
the two markers (h and d) will be prcdonged by plac-
ing, in prop(u-tion as the battalion advances, a third
marker (i j in the rear of the first {h), then the unirk-
er (d) will quit his place and go a like distance in
rear of (i); the marker (Ji) will, in his turn, do the
like in respect to (d), and so on, in succession, as
long as the l);ittalion continues to iidvance; each
marker, on shifting ])osition, taking care to face to
the rear, and to cover accurately the twonnirkers al-
ready established on the direction. A statF officer,
or tiie quartermaster sergeant, designated for the-
137
ly fifteen
from the
to shift
.'hind the
5elf about
battalion,
of mark-
battalion,
. 617 and
or-bearer
mniand :
isten thir-
ank, halt,
■ direction
he sword;
will then
I from the
iite shoul-
II conform
nself upon
line to the
r the cor-
then take
1^
H^ H ' • H C
I SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 137
i purpose, and who will hold himself constantly fifteen
I vv twenty paces facing the marker farthest from the
t liittalion, will cantion each marker when to shift
f iilice, and assure him on the direction behind the
I other two.
GOT. The colonel will habitually bold himself about
tliirty paces in rear of the centre of his battalion,
1 I lung care not to put himself on the line of mark-
I v<. if, for example, by the slanting of the battalion,
the indications which will be given, Nos. 617 and
i lowing, he find that the march of the color-bearer
, is not perpendicular, he will promptly command:
Point of direction to the right Cor left).
G08. At this command, the major will hasten thir-
ty or forty paces in advance of the color-rank, halt,
face to the colonel, and place himself on the direction
wliich the latter will indicate by signal of the sword;
the corporal in the centre of the battalion will then
direct himself upon the major, on a caution from the
c.ilonel, advancing, to that end, the opposite shoul-
der ; the corporals on his right and left will conform
themselves to his direction.
609. The color-bearer will also direct himself upon
the major, advancing the opposite ?honlder, the nia-
jor causing him, at the same time, to incline to the
right or left, until he shall exactly cover the cor-
poral of his file; the color bearer will then take
points on the ground in this new direction.
138 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
610. The two general guides will conform them-
elves to the new direction of the color-rank.
Cll. The officer charged with observing the suc-
cessive replacing of the markers in the rear of the
centre, will establish them promptly on the new di-
rection, taking for basis the color-bearer and the
corporal of his file in the centre of the battalion ;
the C(donel will verify the new direction of the
markers.
612 The lieutenant colonel, from the position giv-
en, No. Cl)2, will see that the two centre companies,
and successively all the others, conform themselves to
the new direction of the centre, but without precip-
itancy or disorder; he will then endeavor t<» maintain
that basis of alignment for the battalion, perpendic-
ularly to the direction pursued by the color-bearer.
613. He will often observe the march of the two
wings; and, if he discover that the captains neglect
to conform themselves to the basis of alignment, he
will recall their attention by the comnunul — caj)-
tain of (such) cumpamj, or captains of (such) com-
pa7iies, on the line — witliout, however, endeavoring
too scrupulously to correct small faults.
614. The major on the flank of the c<dor-rank will,
during the march, place himself, from time to time,
twenty paces in front of that rank, face to the rear,
and place himself correctly on the i)rolongation of
the markers established behind the centre, in order
to verify the exact nuuch of the color-bearer on that
line ; he will rectify, if necessary, the direction of the
color-bearer, who will immediately take two new
I
^il'lillWIiBlig
H Sa H H
I r
I
H t^ H — r
ti m n ^-
i
I
H H -ZZX
1
line ; he will rectify, if necessary, tlio direction of the
color-bearor, who will immediately take two new
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART V. 139
(I pciDts on the ground behveeu himself and the ma-
i jm-.
* 615. All the principles applicable to the advance
ill line, are the same for a suhordinate as for the di-
» ?7r?/«^ battalion; but when the battalion under in-
t srruction is supposed to be subordinate, no markers
i ^^ ill be placed behind its centre.
Remarks on the advance in line of battle.
(116. If, in the exercises of detail, or courses of ele-
uit'iitary instruction, the officers, sergeants, corporals,
ami men, have not been well confirmed in the princi-
I'l's of the position underarms, as well as in the length
;tii(l cadence of the step, the march of the battalion in
line will be floating, unsteady, and disunited.
i!17. If the color-bearer, instead of marching per-
j(v udicularly forward, pursue an oblique direction,
the battalion will slant; crowdings in one wing, and
openings in the other, will follow, and these defects
in the march, becoming more and more embarrassing
in proportion to the deviation from the perpendicular,
will commence near the centre.
618. It is then of the greatest importance that the
color-bearer should direct himselt perpendicularly
forward, and that the basis of alignment should al-
ways be perpendicular to the line pursued by him.
619. If openings be formed, if the files crowd
each other, if, in short, disorder ensue, the remedy
ought to be applied as promptly as possible, but
140 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
calmly, with few words, and as little noise as practi-
cable.
G20. The object of the general guides, in the march
in line of battle is, to indicate to the companies near
tlie flanks the step of the centre of the battalion, and
to afford more fiicility in establishing the wings on the
direction of the centre if they should be too much in
the rear; hence the necessity that these guides should
maintain the same step, and march abreast, or very'
nearly so, with the color-rank, which it will be easy
for them to do by casting from time to time an eye
on that rank.
621 . If the battalion happen to lose the step, the
colonel will recall its attention by the connnand, to
the — Stkp ; captains and their companies will im-
mediately cast an eye on the color-rank, or one of
the general guides, and promptly conform themselves
to the step.
G22. Finally, it is of the utmost importance to the
attainment t>f regularity in the march in line of bat-
tle, to habituate the battalion to execute with as much
order as promptness the movements prescribed No.
C07 and following, for rectifying the direction ; it is
not less essential that commanders of battalions
should exercise themselves, with the greatest care,
in forming their own coup dhril, in order to be able
to judge with precision the direction to be given to
their battalions.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 141
Article Second.
Oblique march in line of battle.
623 The battalion marching in line of battle, when
the colonel shall wish to cause it to oblique, he will
command :
1. Right for left) oblique. 2. March (or double
quick — March ).
624. At the first command, the major w:ill place
himself in front of, and fticed to the color-bearer.
625. At the command march, the whole battalion
will take the oblique step. The companies and cap-
tains will strictly observe the principles established
in the school of the company.
626. The major in frt»nt of the color-bearer ought
to maintain the latter in a line with the centre cor-
poral, so that the color-beaier may oblique neither
more nor less than that corporal. He will carefully
observe also that they follow parallel directions and
preserve the same length of step.
627. The lieutenant colonel will take care that the
captains and the three corporals in the centre keep ex-
actly on a line and follow parallel directions.
628. The colonel will see that the battalion pre-
serves its parallelism ; he will exert himself to pre-
vent the files trom opening or crowding. If he per-
ceive the latter fault, he will cause the files on the
flank, to which the battalion obliques, to open out.
142 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
629. The colonel, wishing the direct march to be re-
sumed, will command :
1. Forward. 2. March.
630. At the command march, the battalion will re-
sume the direct march. The mnjor will pla«;e himself
thirty paces in front of the color-bearer, and face to
the colonel, who will establish him, by a signal of
the sword, on the direction which the color-bearer
ought to pursue. The latter will immediately take
two points on the ground between himself and the
major.
631. In resuming the direct march, care will be
taken that the men do not close the intervals which
may exist between the files at once ; it should be done
almost insensibly.
Remarks on the oblique march.
632. The object of the oblique stop is to gain ground
to the right or U.'ft, preserving all the wliile the prim-
itive direction of the line of battle ; as thus, for ex-
ample : the battalion, departing from the line {sz),
arrives on the line {xx) parallel to {sz).
633. It is then essential that the corporals in the
centre of the battalion, and the captains of compa-
nies, should follow parallel directions, and maintain
themselves at the same height ; without which they
will give a false direction to the battalion.
634. The C(donel and lieutenant colonel will exert
themselves to prevent the files from crowding; for,
without such precaution, the oblique nuirch cannot be
executed with facility.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 143
Article Third.
To hah the battalion, marching in line of battle,
and to align it.
635. The battalion, marching in the line of battle,
when the colonel shall wish to halt it, he will com-
mand ;
1. Battalion. 2. Halt.
636. At the second command, the battalion will
halt ; the color-rank and the general guides will re-
main in front; but if the colonel should not wish im-
mediately to resume the advanci^ in line, nor to give
a general alignment, he will command :
Color and general guides — PoSTS.
637. At this command, the color-ranb- and general
guides will retake their places in line of battle, the
captains in the left wing will shift to the right of their
companies.
638. If the colonel should then judge it necessary
to rectify the alignment, he will command :
Captains, rectify the alignment.
639. The captains will immediately cast an eye
towards the centre, align themselves accurately, on
the basis of the alignment, which the lieutenant col-
onel will see well directed, and then promptly dress
their respective companies. The lieutenant c-olonel
141 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALIO^'-^Alr^ V.
will adnuiiiisli such ciiptains as may not be at'ciirate-
\y on the alignment by the command: Captain of
Csucbj company, or captains of (such) companies,
move 2ip or fall hack.
640. But when the colonel shall wish to givj? the
battalion a general alignment, either parallel (»r ob-
lique, instead of rectifying it as above, he will nxive
some paces outside (»f one of the general guides (tlie
right will here be supposed) and caution the right
general guide and the color-bearer to face him, and
then establish them by signal of the sword, on the
direction which he may wish to give to the battalion.
As soon as they shall be coi-rectly established, the left
general guide will place himself on their direction,
and be assured in his positi(»n l)y the major. The co\-
or-bearer will carry the color-lance pei-pendicularly
between his eyes, and the two corporals of his rank
will return to their places in the front rank the mo-
ment he shall fac«^ to the colonel.
641. This disposition being made, the colonel
command :
1. Guides— On the Line.
Willi
642. At this command, the right guide ot each com-
pany in the right wing, and the left guide of each
company in the left, will each place himself on the di-
rection of the color-bearer and the two general guides,
face to the coh)r-bearer, ])lace himself in rear of the
guide who is next before him at a distance equal to
the front of his company, and align himself upon the
color-bearer and the general guide beyond.
'^i
I
^:
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART V. 145
643. The captains in the right wing will shift to
the left of their companies, except the captain of the
color-company, who will remain on its right, bnt step
into the rear rank ; the captains in the left wing will
shift to the right of their companies,
644. The lieutenant colonel will promptly rectify,
if necessary, the positions of the guides of the right
wing, and the major those of the other ; which being
executed, the colonel will command :
2. On the ccwfre— Dress.
645. At this command, the companies will move
up in quick time against the guides, where, having
arrived, each captain will align his company accord-
ing to prescribed principles, the lieutenant colonel
aligning the color-company.
646. If the alignment be oblique, the captains will
take care to conform their companies to it in con-
ducting them towards the line.
647. The battalion being aligned, the colonel will
command :
3. Color and guides — POSTS.
648. At this command, the color bearer, t e gen-
eral and company guides, and the captains in the
right wing, will take their places in the line of battle,
and the color-bearer will replace the heel of the
color-lance against the right hip,
649. If the new direction of the line of battle be
such that one or more companies find themselves in
advance of that line, the colonel, before establishing
the general guides on the line, will cause such com-
10
146 SCFIOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
panies to be moved to the rear, either l)y the back
step, or by first facing about, accordintr as there may
be less or more ground to be repassed to bring the
companies in rear of the new direction.
650. When the colonel shall wish to give a general
alignment, and the color and general guides are not
on the line, he will cause them to move out by the
command :
1. Color and scneral s^iides — On THE LiNE.
651. At this command, the color-bearer and the
general guides will place themselves on the line, con-
forming to what is prescribed, No. 640.
Article Fourth.
Change of direction in 7iiarching in line of battle.
652. The battalion marching in line t>f battle,
when the colonel shall wish it to change direction to
the right, he will ctunmand:
1. Change direction to the right. 2. MARCH (or
double quick— MaRCU).
653. At the command march, the movement will
commence; the color-rank will shorten the step to
fourteen or seventeen inches, and direct itself circu-
larly to the right, taking care to advance the left
shoulder, but only insensibly ; the major will place
himself before the color-bearer, facing him, and so
r-
14(
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 147
direct his march that he may describe an arc of a
circle neither too hirge nor too small ; he will also
see that the color-bearer takes steps, of fourteen or
seventeen inches , according to the gait.
654. The right general guide will wheel on the
right captain of the battalion as his pivot; the left
general guide will circularly march in the step of
twenty-eight inches or thirty-three inches, according
to the gait, and will align himself upon the color-
bearer and the right general guide.
655. The corporal placed in the centre of the bat-
talion, will take steps of fourteen or seventeen
inches, and will wheel to the right by advancing in-
sensibly the left shoulder; the battalion will conform
itself to the movement of the centre; to this end, the
captain of the color-company, and the captain of the
next to the left, will attentively regulate their march,
as well as the direction of their shoulders, on the
three centre corporals. All the other captains will
regulate the direction of their shoulders and the
length of their step on this basis.
656. The men will redouble their attention in order
not to pass the line of captains.
657. In the left wing, the pace will be lengthened
in proportion as the file is distant from the centre;
the captain of the eighth company who closes the
left flank of the battahon will take 'steps of twenty-
eight or thirty-three inches, according to the gait.
658. In the right wing the pace will be shortened
in porportion as the file is distant from the. centre ;
the captain who closes the right flank will only slowly
148 .SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
tui'D in his person, observing to yield ground a little
if pushed.
659. The colonel will tal^e great care to prevent
the centre of the battalion from describing an arc of
a circle, either too great or too small, in order that
the wings may conform themselves to its movement.
He will see also that the captains keep their com-
panies constantly aligned upon the centre, so that
there may be no opening and no crowding of files.
He will endeavor to prevent faults, and, should they
occur, correct them without noise.
660. The lieutenant colonel, placed before the bat-
talion, will give his attention to the same object.
661. When the colonel shall wish the direct march
to be resumed, he will command:
1. Forward. 2. March.
662. At the command march, the color-rank, the
general guides, and the battalion will resume the
direct march; the major will immediately place him-
self thirty or forty pace« in front, face to the colonel,
placed in rear of the centre, who will establish him
by signal of the sword on the perpeiulicular direc-
tion which the corporal in the centre of the battalion
ought to pursue; the major will immediately cause
the color-bearer, if necessaiy, t«) incline to the right
or left, so as to be exactly opposite to his file ; the
color-bearer will then take two points on the ground
between himself and the uiajor.
663. The lieutenant colonel will endeavor to give
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART V. 149
to the color-company and the next on the left a direc-
tion perpendicular to that pursued by the centre
corporal ; and all the other companies, without pre-
cipitancy, will conform themselves to that basis.
Article Fifth.
To march in retreat, in line of battle.
064. The battalion being halted, if it be the wish
of the colonel to cause it to march in retreat, he will
command :
1. Face to the rear. 2. Battalion, about — Face.
665. At the second command, the battalion will
face about; the color-rank, and the general guides,
it in advance, will take their places in line ; the col-
or-bearer will pass into the rear rank, now leading;
the corporal of his file will step behind the corporal
next on his own right, to let the color-bearer pass,
and then step into the front rank, now rear, to re-
form the color-file ; the colonel will place himself be-
hind the front rank, become the rear ; the lieutenant
colonel and major will place themselves before the
rear rank, now leading.
666. The colonel will take post forty paces behind
the color-file, in order to assure the lieutenant colo-
nel on the perpendicular, who will place himself at a
like distance in front, as prescribed for the advance
in line of battle.
667. If the battalion be the one charged with the
direction, the colonel will establish markers in the
150 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
manner indicated, No. 589, except that they -will face
to the battalion, and that the first will be placed twen-
ty-five paces from the lieutenant cctlonei. If the ni;ir-
kers be already established, the officer charged with
replacing them in succession will cause them to face
about, the moment that the battalion executes this
movement, and then the marker nearest to the bat-
talion will hasten to the rear of the two others.
668. These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
3. Battalion, foricard.
669. At this command, the color-bearer will ad-
vance six paces beyond the rank of file closers, ac-
companied by the two coi-porals of his guard of that
rank, the centre corporal stepping back to let the
color-bearer pass ; the two file closers nearest this
centre corporal will unite on him behind the color-
guard to serve as a basis of aligmnent for the line of
file cUisers; the two general guides will place them-
selves abreast with the color rank, the covering ser-
geants will place themselves in the line of file closers,
and the captains in the rear rank, now leading ; the
captains in the left wing, now right, will if not al-
ready there, shift to the left of their companies now
become the right.
670. The colonel will then command :
4. March (or double quick — March J.
671. The battalion will march in retreat on the
same principles which govern the advance inline; the ;
SCH'>fL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 151
centre corporal behind the color-bearer will march
exactly in his trace.
672. If it be the directing battalion, the color-bear-
er will direct himself on the markers, who will, of
their own accord, each place himself in succession
behind the marker most distant, on being approached
by the battalion : the officer charged with the super-
intendence of the markers, will carefully assure them
on the direction.
G73 In the case of a subordinate battalion, the
color-bearer will maintain hiniself on the perpendicu-
lar by means of points taken on the ground.
674. The colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major will
each discharge the same functions as in the advance
in line.
675. The lieutenant colonel, placed on the outside
of the file closers of the color-company, will also
maintain the three file closers of the basis of align-
ment in a square with the line of direction : the other
file closers will keep themselves aligned on this basis.
Article Sixth.
I To halt the battalion marching in retreat, and to face it
to the front.
676. The colonel having halted the battalion, and
(wishing to face it to the front, will command :
1. Face to the front. 2. Battalion, about — FACE.
677. At the second command, the color-rank, gene-
152 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALKJN— PART V.
ral guides, captains, and covering sergeants, will all
retake their liahitual places in line of battle, and the
color-bearer will repass into the front rank.
678. The battalion marching in line of battle by
the front rank, when the colonel shall wish to nia
it in retreat, he will command :
1. Battalion, rifrJit about. 2. MARCH.
rch 1
679. At the command inarch, the battalion, will ftice
to the rear and move off at the same gait by the rear
rank. The principles prescribed Nos. C69, and follow-
ing will be carefully observed.
680. If the colonel should wish the battalion to
march again by the front, he will give the same com-
mands.
Article Seventh.
Change of direction, in inarching in retreat.
681. A battalion retiring in line will change direc-
tion by the commands and means indicated No. 652
and following ; the three file closers, united behind
the color-rank, will ccmform themselves to the move-
ment of this rank, and wheel like it; the centre file
closer of the three will take steps of fourteen or
seventeen inches, according to the gait, and keep
himself steadily at the same distance tVoui the color-
bearer; the line of file closers will conform themselves
to the uiovement of its centre, and the lieutenant
colonel will maintain it on that basis.
school of the battalion— part v. 153
Article Eighth.
Passage of obstacles, advancing and retreating.
682. The battalion advancii;g in line will be sup-
posed to encounter an obstacle which covers one or
more companies ; the colonel will cause them to
ploy into column at full distance, in rear of the next
company towards the color, which will be executed
in the lollowing manner. It will be supposed that
the obstacle only covers the third cc-mpany, the
colonel will command ;
Third company, obstacle.
683. At this command, the captain of the third
company will place himself in its front, turn to it,
and command, 1. Third company, by the left flank, to
the rear into column. 2. Double quick. 'S. MARCH.
He will then hasten to the left of his company.
684. At the command march, the company will
face to the left in marching; the two left files will
promptly disengage to the rear in double quick time ;
the left guide, placing himself at the head of the
front rank, will conduct it behind the fourth compa-
ny, directing himself parallelly with this company ;
the captain of the third will himself halt opposite to
the captain of the fourth, and see his company file
past ; when its right file shall be nearly up with him,
he will command, 1. Third company. 2. By the right
flank. 3. March. 4. Guide right, and place him-
self before the centre of his company.
154 sen )0L OF THE BAITALION-PART V.
685. At the command march, tKe c<mipany will face
to the right, preserving the same gait, but the mo-
ment it shall be at the prescribed distance, its cap-
tain will command:
1. Q^idck time. 2. MARCH.
686. This company will thus follow in column that
behind which it finds itself, and at wheeling distance,
its right guide marching exactly in the trace cf the
captain of that company.
687. As soon as the third company shall have fac-
ed to the left, the left guide of the second will place
himself on the left of the front rank of his company,
and maintain between himself and the right of the
fourth the space necessary for the return into line of
the third.
688. The obstacle being passed, the colonel will
command :
Third company , forward, into line.
689. At this command, the captain turning to his
company, will add :
1. By company, right half ichecl. 2. Double quick.
3. March.
600. At the command march, the company will
take the double quick step, and execute a half wheel ;
its captain will then connnand, 1, Forward. 2.
MaI{CI1. 3. Guide left. The second command will
be given when the company shall have sufficiently
wheeled.
•«3&^|
^
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 155
691. At the command march, the company will
clireet itself straight forward towards the line of bat-
tle, and retake its position in it according to the prin-
ciples prescribed for the formation forward into line
of battle.
692. It will be supposed that the obstacle covers
several contiguous companies (the three companies
on the right for example), the colonel will com
mand :
. Three right companies, obstacle. 2. By the left
flank, to the rear, into column. 3. Double quick
— March.
693. At the first command, the captains of the
designated companies will each place himself before
the centre of his company, and caution it as to the
movement about to be executed.
694. At the command march, the designated com-
panies will face to the left in marching, and imme-
diately take the double quick step ; each captain will
cause the head of his company to disengage itself to
the rear, and the left guide will place himself at the
head of the front rank; the captain of the third com-
pany will conform himself to what is prescribed, No.
684 and following; the captains of the other com-
panies will conduct them by the flank in rear of the
third, inclining towards the head of the column ; and,
as the head of each company arrives opposite to the
right of the one next before it in column, its captain
will himself halt, see his company file past, and con-
form himself for facing it to the front, in marching,
to what is prescribed No. 684, and following.
156 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
695. When the last company in column shall
have passed the obstacle, the colonel will com-
mand :
1. Three rigid companies, foncard, into line.
69G. At this command, the captain of each of these ^
three companies will command, By company, right
half wheel. The colonel will then add :
1. Double quick. 2. March.
697. At this, briskly repeated by the captains of
the three companies, each company will conform it-
self to what is prescribed No. 690 and following.
698. It is supposed, in the foregoing examples,
that the companies belonged to the right wing ; if
they make part of the other, they will execute the
passage of an obstacle according to the same prin-
ciples and by inverse means.
699. When flank companies are broken oflf to
pass an obstacle, the general guide on that flank
will place himself six paces in front of the outer file
of the nearest company to him remaining in line.
700. In the preceding movements, it has been sup-
posed that the battalion was marching in quick time,
but if it be marching in double quick time, and the
colonel shall wish to cause several contiguous com-
panies to break to the rear, he will first order the
battalion to march in quick time ; the companies
will break as indicated No. 692.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 157
701. When the movement is completed, the colo-
ael will order the double quick step to be resumed.
He will also cause the battalion to march in quick
time when he shall wish to bring into line the sev-
eral companies which are to the rear in column ;
the movement will be executed as previously indica-
ted ; and when the last company shall have nearly
completed its movement, the colonel will cause the
double quick step to be resumed. •
702. In the movement of a single company, or of
iseveral companies not contiguous to each otlier, the
battalion will continue to march in double quick
time, but in these cases the companies which are to
ploy into column, or re-enter the line, will increase
the gait,
703. In the march in retreat, these several move-
ments will be executed on the same principles as if
the battalion marched by the front rank.
704. When a battalion, advancing in line of battle,
shall be obliged to execute the right about in order
to retreat, if there be companies in column, behind
the rear rank, these companies will also execute the
right about, put themselves in march, at the same
time with the battalion, and will thus precede it in
; the retreat; they will afterwards successively put
j themselves into line by the oblique step, as the
I ground may permit.
['
, 705. If the battalion be marching in retreat in
double quick time, and many contiguous companies,
be marching before the rear rank of the battalion,
158 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
the colonel will not change the gait of the battalion
in causing them to re-enter into line.
706. When the color-company shall be obliged to
execute the movement of passing an obstacle, the
color-rank will return into line at the moment the
company shall face to the left or right; the major
will place himself six paces before the extremity of
the company betrind which the color-company marches
in column, in order to give the step and the direc-
tion; he, himself, fiist taking the step from the bat-
talion.
707. As soon as the color-company shall have re-
turned into line, the front rank of the col<»r guard
will again move out six paces in front of the battal-
ion, and take the step from the major; the latter
will immediately place himself twenty or thirty
paces in front of the color-bearer, and face to the
colonel placed behind the centre of the battalion,
who will establish him on the perpendicular; and, as
soon as he shall be assured on it, the color-bearer
will instantly take two points on the ground between
himself and the major.
708. It is prescribed, as a general rule, that the
companies of the right wing ought to execute the
movement of passing obstacles by the left flank, and
the reverse for the companies of the other wing ; but
if the obstacle cover at once several companies of the
centre, each will file into column behind that, still in
line, and of the same wing, which may be the nearest
to it.
/J±
R
7/
JE'liiliillilllllliiilk
b.
school of the battalion— part v. 159
Article Ninth.
To pass a defile, in retreat, by the right or left fiank.
709. When a battalion, retiring in line, shall en-
counter a defile which it must pass, the colonel will
halt the battalion, and face it to the front.
710. It will be supposed that the defile is in rear of
the left flank, and that its width ie sufficient to give
passage to a column by platoon ; the colonel will
place a marker fifteen or twenty paces in rear of the
file closers at the point around which the subdivisions
will have to.change direction in order to enter the
defile ; he will then command :
To the rear, by the right flank, pass the defile.
711. The captain of the first comp-^ny will imme-
diately command :
1. First company, right — Face. 2. March (or
double quick — March.)
712. At the command march, the first company
will commence the movement ; the first file will
wheel to the right, march to the rear till it shall
have passed four paces beyond the file closers, when
it will wheel again to the right, and tlien direct it-
self straight for waid towards the left flank. All the
other files of this company will come to wheel
160 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
in succession at the same place where the first had
wheeled.
713. The second company will execute, in its turn,
the same movement, by the commaiuls of its captain,
who will give the connnand March, so that the first
file of his company may immediately follow the hist
of the first, without constraint, however, as to tak-
ing the step of the first; the first file of the second
company will wheel to the right, on its ground ; all
the other files of this company will come in succes-
sion to wheel at the same place. The following
companies will execute, each in its turn, what h;is
just been prescribed for the second.
714. When the whole of the second company shall
be on the same direction with the firsts the captain
of the first will cause it to form, by platoons into
line, and the m<»ment that it is in column, the guide
of the first platoon will direct himself on the marker
around whom he has to change direction in order to
enter the defile.
715. The second company will continue to march
by the flank, directing itself parallelly with the lino
of battle; and it, in its turn, will form by platoon
into line, when the third company shall be wholly on
the same direction with itself.
716. The following companies will succegsivelf,
execute what has just been prescribed ti>r the se-
cond, and each will form by platoon into line, when
the next company shall be on the same direction with
itself.
717. The first platoon of the leading company hav-
ing arrived opposite to the marker placed at the er:-
trance of the defile, will turn to the left, and the fol-
I
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V, 161
lowing platoons will all execute this movement at the
same point. As the last companies will not be able
to form platoons before reaching the defile, they will
j so direct themselves, in entering it, as to leave room
to the left for this movement.
718. The battalion wall thus pass the defile by pla-
jtoon: and, as the two platoons of each company
I shall clear it, companies will be successively formed
by the means indicated, school of the company, No.
273, and following.
719. The head of the column having cleared the
defile, and having reached the distance at which the
colonel wishes to re-form line faced to the defil »., he
may cause the leading company to turn to the left,
to prolong the column in that direction, and then
form it to the left into line of battle ; or he may halt
the column, and form it into line of battle faced to the
rear.
720. If the defile be in the rear of the right flank,
it will be passed by the left ; the movement wull be
executed according to the same principles, and by
inverse means.
721. If the defile be too narrow to receive the
front of a platoon, it will be passed by the flank.
Captains and file closers will be watchful that the
files do not lose their distances in marching. Com-
panies or platoons will be formed into line as the
width of the defile may permit, or as the companies
shall successively clear it.
11
162 school of the battalion— part v.
Article Tenth.
To march by the JJtnik.
722. The colonel, wishing the battalicu to inarch
by the flank, will command ;
1. Battalion. 2. Right (or /r/>)— Face. 3. Forward.
4. March for double quick — March).
723. At the second command, the captains and
covering sergeants will place themselves as prescribed,
Nos. 13G and 141, school of the company.
724. The sergeant on the left of the battalion will
place himself to the left and by the side of the last
file of his company, covering the captains in file.
72.5. The battalion having to face by the left
flank, the cii[)tains, at the sec(»nd connnand, will
shift rapidly to the left of their cximpanies, and each
place himself by the side of th' covering sergeant of
the company preceding his own, except the captain
of the left company, who will place himself by the
side of the sergeant on the left of the battalion. The
covering sei'geant of the right company will place
himself i)y the right side of the front rank man of
the rearmost file of his company, covering the cap-
tains in file.
726. At the command march, the battalion will step
off with life; the sergeant, pliiced before the leading
file (right or left in front), will be careful to pre-
serve exactly the length and cadence otthe step, and
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SCHOOL OF THE HATTALION— PART V. 163
to direct himself straight forward; to this end, he
will take points on the ground.
727. Whether the battalion march by the right or
l.tr flank, the lieutenant colonel will place himself
al "least with the leading file, and the major abreast
with the color-file, both on the side of the front
riiiik, and about six paces from it.
7-28. The adjutant, placed between the lieutenant
Cdlouel and the front rank, will march in the same
slej) with the head of the battalion, and the ser-
ircant major, placed between the major and the color-
liciirer, will march in the same step with the adju-
tant.
729. The captains and file closers will carefully see
that the files neither open out, nor close too much,
and that they regain insensibly their distances, if
Inst.
730. The colonel wishing the battalion to wheel by
file, will command :
1. By file right (or left). 2. March.
tb
31. The files will wheel in succession, and all at
place where the first had wheeled, in conforming
to the principles prescribed in the school of the
company.
732. The battalion marching by the flank, when the
colonel shall wish it to halt, he wiil command ;
1. Battalion. 2. Halt. 3. Front.
723. These commands will be executed as pre-
scribed in the school of the company, No. 146.
164 SCHOOL OF TPIE BATTALION-PART V.
734. If the battalion be marching by the flank and
the colonel should wish to cause it to march in line,
either to the front or to the rear, the movements
will be executed by the commands and means pre-
scribed in the school of the company.
Article Eleventh.
To form the battalion on the right or Icfl, by file,
into line of battle.
735. The battalion marching by the right flank,
when the colonel shall wish to foini it on the right by
file, he will determine the lin^ of battle, and the
lieutenant colonel will place two markers on that
line, iu conformity with what is prescribed, No. 415,
736. The head of the battalion being nearly up
with the first marker, the colonel will command :
1. On the right, by file, into line. 2, March Cor
double quick— March).
737. At the command 7narch,ihG leading company
will form itself on the right, by file, into line of bat-
tle, as indicated in the scho(»l of the company. No.
141) ; the front rank man of the first file will rest his
breast lightly against the right arm of the first
marker ; the other companies will follow the move-
ment of the leading company; each captain will
place himself on the line at the same time with the
front rank man of bis first file, -and on the right of
this man.
i
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. • 165
738. The left guide of each company, except the
leading one, will place himself on the direction of
: the markers, and opposite to the left file of his com-
i pany, at the instant that the front rank man of this
file arrives on the line.
739. The formation being ended, the colonel will
( command :
Guides — Posts,
740. The colonel will superintend the successive
formation of the battalion, moving along the front of
the line of battle,
741. The lieutenant colonel will, in succession, as-
sure the direction of the guides, and see that the men
of the front rank, in placing themselves on the line,
do not pass it.
742. If the battalion march by the left flank, the
movement will be executed according to the same
principles, and by inverse means.
Article Twelfth.
Changes of front.
Change of front perpendicularly foricard.
743. The battalion being in line of battle, it is sup-
posed to be the wish of the colonel to cause a change
of front forward on the right company, and that the
angle formed by the old and new positions be a right
angle, or a few degrees more or less than one ; he
will cause two markers to be placed on the new
direction, before the position to be occupied by that
1G6 SCHOOL ON THE BATTALION— P.MIT V.
company, and order its captain to establish it against
the markers.
744. The captain of the right company will imme-
diately direct it upon the markers by a wheel to the
right on the fixed pivot ; and" after having halted it,
he will align it by the right.
745. These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
1. Change from foricurd on first company. 2. By
company, rio/tt half tchcel. 3. MARCH [or double
quick— March'].
746. At the second command, each captain will
place himself before the centre of his company.
747. At the third, each company will wheel to the
right on the fixed pivot ; the left guide of each will
place himself on its left as soon as he shall be able
to pass; and when the colonel shall judge that the
corapanies have sufficiently wheeled, he will com-
mand:
4. Forward. 5. March. G. Guide right.
748. At the fifth command, the companies ceasing
to wheel will march straiglit forward ; at the sixth,
the men will touch elbows towards the right.
749. The right guide of the second company \\\\\
march straightforward until this company shall arrive
at the point where it should turn to the right; each,
succeeding right guide will follow the file immediately
before him at the cessation of the wheel, and will
march in the trace of this fileuntil this company shall
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SCHOOL OF THK BATTALI' N— PART V. 167
turn to the right to move upon the line ; this guide
will then march straight forward.
750. The second company having arrived opposite
to the left file of the first, its captfiin will cause it to
turn to the right ; the right guide will direct him-
self so as to arrive squarely upon the line of battle,
and when he shall be at three paces from that line,
the captain will command :
1. Second company. 2. HALT.
751. At the second command, the company will
halt; the files not yet in line with the guide will come
into it promptly, the left guide will place himself
on the line of battle, and, as soon as he is assured in
the direction by the lieutenant colonel, the captain
will align the company by the right.
7o2. Each following company will conform to what
has just been prescribed for the second.
75:^. The forniation ended, the colonel will com-
mand :
Guides— VOSTS.
754. If the battalion be in march, and the colonel
shall wish to change front forward on the first com-
pany, and that the angle formed by the old and new
positions be a right angle, he will cause two markers
to be placed on the new direction, before the position
to be occupied by that company, and will command :
168 SCH ) L (F THE BATTALION— PART V.
]. Change front forward on frst company. 2. By
company^ right half tcheel. 3. March [or double
quick — March].
755. At the first command, the captains will move
rapidly before the centre of their respective com-
panies; the captain of the first company will com-
mand: 1. Right turn; 2. Quick time; the captains
of the other companies will caution them to wheel
to the right.
756. At the command march, the first company
will turn to the right according to the principles
prescribed in the school of the soldier, No. 402 ; its
captain will halt it at three paces from the markers,
and the files in rear will promptly come into line.
The captain will align the company by the right.
757. Each of the other companies will wheel to
the right on a fixed ])ivot; the left guides will place
themselves on the left of their respective companies,
and when the colonel shall judge they have wheeled
sufficiently, he will command :
4. Forward. 5. MARCH. 6. Guide right.
758. These commands will bo executed as indicated
No. 746 and following.
759. The colonel will cause the battjilion to change
front forward on the eighth company according to
the same principles and by inverse means.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALI N— PART V. 169
Change of front perpendicularly to the rear.
760. The colonel wishing to change front to the
rear on tlie right company, will impart his purpose to
the captain of this company. The latter will im-
mediately face this company abont, wheel it to the
left on the fixed pivot, and halt it when it shall be in
the direction indicated to him by the colonel : the cap-
tain will then face his company to the front, and align
it by the riglit against the two markers, whom the
colonel will cause to be established before the right
and left files.
Tfi]. These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
1. Change front to the rear, on first company. 2. Bat-
talion about — Face. 3. By company, left half
wheel. 4. March (or double quick — March).
762. At the second command, all the companies,
except the right, will face about.
763. At the third, the captains, whose companies
have faced about, wnll each place himself behind the
centre of his company, two paces from the front
rank, now the rear.
764. At the fourth, these companies will wheel to
the left on the fixed pivot by the rear rank: the left
guide of each will, as soon as he is able to pass,
place himself on the left of the rear rank of his com-
pany, now become the right ; and when the colonel
shall judge that the companies have sufficiently
wheeled, he will command :
170 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
5. Foiicard. 6. March. 7. Guide left.
765. At the sixth command, the companies will
cease to wheel, march straight forward towards the
•Jew line of battle, and, at the seventh, take the
touch of the elbow towards the left.
7*56. The guide of each company on its right flank,
become left, will conform himself to the principles
prescribed, No. 748.
767. The second company, from the right, having
arrived opposite to the left of the first, will turn to
the left; the guide will so direct himself as to arrive
parallelly with the line of battle, cross that line, and
when the front rank, now in the rear, shall be three
paces beyond it, the captain will connnand; ]. .Se-
cond company ; 2. HALT.
768. At the second command, the company will
halt; the files yvhich may not yet be in line with the
guide, will pr(»!m])tly come into it ; the ciii)tain will
cause the company to face about, and then align it by
the right.
769. All the other companies will execute what
has just been prescribed f«»r the second, each as it
successively arrives npposite to the left of the com-
pany that precedes it on the new line of battle.
770. The formation being ended, the coloiu'l will
command :
Gwirics— Posts.
771. The colonel will cause a change of front on
the left company of the battalion to the rear, ac-
cording to the same principles and by inverse means.
SBHOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART V. 171
772. In changes of front, the colonel will give a
general superintendence to the movement.
773. The lieutenant colonel will assure the direc-
tion of the guides as they successively move out on
the line of battle, conforming himself to what has
been prescribed in the successive formations.
Remarks on changes of front.
774. When a new direction is perpendicular, or
nearly so, to that of the battalion, the companies ought
to make about a half tcheel (the eighth of the circle)
before marching straight forward; but when those
two lines are oblique to each other, the smaller the
angle which they form, the less ought the companies
to wheel. It is for the colonel to judge, according to
the angle, the precise time when he ought to give the
command march, after the caution /oru-art?, and if he
cannot catch the exact moment, the word of execu-
tion should rather be given a little too soon, than an
instant too late.
775. When the old and the new lines form an angle
of forty-five or fewer degrees, the colonel will find it
necessary to arrest the wheel of the companies when
the marching flanks shall have taken but a few paces,
or, it may be, have but disengaged, respectively, from
the fixed pivots of the next companies ; and in all such
cases, the companies will arrive so nearly parallel to
the new line, as to be able to align themselves upon
it without the intermediate turn to the right or left :
172 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
to execute the movement under either circumstanc
supposed, the colonel will command :
Oblique change of front, foricard, (or to the rear) on
{such company.)
Article Thirteenth.
To ploy the battalion into column doubled on the centre.
776. This movement consists in ploying; the corres-
ponding companies of the right and left wings into
column at company distance, or closed in mass, ia
rear of the two centre companies, according to the
principles prescribed. Article Tliird, Part Second, of
this School.
777. The colonel, wishing to form the double col
umn at company distance, (the battalion being in line
of battle,) will command:
1. Double column, at half distance. 2. Battalion, in-
wards—Face. 3. March (or double quick —
March).
778. At the first command, the captains will place
themselves two paces in front of tlieir respective com-
panies; the captains of the two centre companies will
caution them to stand fast, and the otiier captains
will caution tlieir companies to face to the left and
right, respectively. The covering sergeants will step
into the front rank.
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SCHO L OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 173
779. At the second command, the fourth and fifth
Companies will stand fast; the others of the right
Avii)g will face to the left, and the others of the left
w iiig will face to the right; each captain whose com-
]i;my has faced, will hasten to break to the rear the
two files at the head of his company ; the left guide of
each right company, and the right guide of each left
company, will each place himself at the head of its
front rank, and the captain by the side of his guide.
750. At the command march, the fourth and fifth
companies, which are to form the first division, will
stand fast; the senior captain of the two will place
himself before the centre of the division, and com-
mand: Guide right ; the junior captain will place
himself in tlie interval between the two companies,
and the left guide of the left company will place him-
self in the front rank on the left of the division, as
soon as he shall be able to pass.
781. All the other companies, conducted by their
captains, will step off with life to arrange themselves
in column at company distance, each company behind
the preceding one in the column of the same wing, so
that, in the right wing, the third may be next behind
the fourth, the second next to the third, and so on to
the right company ; and, in the left wing, the sixth
may be next behind the fifth, the seventh next to the
sixth, and so on to the left company of the battalion.
782. The corresponding companies of the two wings
will unite into divisions in arranging themselves in
column ; an instant before the union, at the centre of
this C(»lumn, the left guides of right companies will
pass into the line of file closers, and each captain will
174 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
command: 1. Suck company; 2. Halt; 3. Front.
783. At the second command, which will be given
at the instant of union, each company will halt; at
the third, it will face to the front. The senior captain
in each division will place himself on its right, and
command, lUg/tt — Dress, and the junior captain will
place himself in the interval between the two com-
panies. The division being aligned, its chief will
cemmand Front, and take his position two pacec be-
fore its centre.
784. The column being thus formed, the divisions
will take the respective denominations oi'Jirst, second,
third, &c., according to position in the column, be-
ginning at the front.
785. The lieutenant colonel, who, at the second
command given by the colonel, will have placed him-
self at a little more than company distance in rear of
the right guide of the first division, will assure the
right guides on the direction as they successively ar-
rive, by placing himself in their rear.
786. The nmsic will pass to the rear of the ccdumn.
787. The battalion being in march, to form the
double column at comi)any distance without halting
the battalion, the colonel will command:
1. Double column at half distance. 2. Battalion, by
the right and left funks.
3. March (or double quick — Marciij.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALIOJ^— PART V. 175
788. At the first command, each captain will move
briskly in front of the centre of his company ; the cap-
tains of the fourth and fifth will caution their com-
panies to march straight forvyard ; the other captains
will caution their companies to face to the right and
left.
789. At the command 7nrtrt7t, the fourth and fifth
companies will continue to march straight forward ;
the senior captain will place himself before the cen-
tre of his division and command, Guide right; the
junior captain will place himself in the interval be-
tween the two companies. The left guide of the fifth
company will place himself on the left of the front
rank of the division. The men will take the touch of
elbows to the right. The color and general guides
will retake their places. The three right companies
will face to the left, and the three left companies will
face to the right. Each captain will break to the rear
two files at tLe head of his company; the left guides
of the right companies, and the right guides of the
left companies, will each place himself at the head
of the front rank of his company, and the captain by
the side of his guide.
790. The third and sixth companies will enter the
Icolumn and direct themselves parallelly to the first
"ivision. Each of the other companies will, in like
|manner, place itself behind the company of the wing
which it belongs, and will be careful to gain as
luch ground as possible towards the head of the
jolumn.
79J. The corresponding companies of each wing
[will ufiite into divisions on taking their positions in
polumn, and each captain, the instant the head of his
176 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
company arrives at the centre of the eolunm, will
connnancl, 1. Such comyany by the right C«»r l< ft ) flank.
2. March. The senior captain of the two companies
will place himself in front of the centre «f his ilivi-
sion, and command, Guide right ; the jnnior captain
will place himself in the interval between the two
companies. Th(i two comj)anies thns formed into a
division will take the touch of elbows to the right,
and when each division has gained its proj)er distance,
its chief will cause it to march in quick time.
792. When the battaliim presents an odd number of j
companies, the formation will be made in like manner,
and the company on either flank which shall find it-
self without a corresponding one, will place itself at'
company distance behind the wing to which it be-
longs.
793. The double column, closed in mass, will be J
formed according to the same princii)le8 and by the ;
same connnands, substituting the indication, closcdin\
mass, for that of at half distance.
794. The double column never being formed when!
two or more battalions are to be in one general col-
umn, it will habitually take the guide to the right,
sometimes to the left, or in the centre (»f the colunm;
in the last case, the command will be, guide centre.
The colunm will march and change direction accord-
ing to the principles prescribed for a sim])le column
by division.
795. The double column at company distance wall
be closed in mass, or, if in mass, will take half dis-j
tance, by the commands and means indicated for
simple column by division.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 177
Deployment of the double column, faced to the front.
796. The colonel, wishing to deploy the double col-
umn, will place a marker respectively before the right
;i lid left files of the first division, and a third before
the left file of the right company, same division; which
being done, he will cause the two general guides to
spring out on the alignment of the markers a little be-
yond the points at which the respective flanks of the
battalion ought to rest; he will then command:
]. Dcploij column. 2. Battalion outicurds — Face.
3. March (or double quick — March).
797. The column will depb)y itself on the two com-
panies at its head, according to the principles pre-
scribed for the deployment of columns in mass. The
captains of these companies will each, at the command
march, place himself on the right of his own company,
and align it by the right ; the captain of the fourth
will then phice himself in the rear rank, and the cover
ing seigCMut in the rank of file closers, at the moment
the capti'.iu of the third shall come to its left to
align it.
798. The deployment being ended, the colonel will
command :
Guides — POSTS.
799. If it be the wish of the colonel to cause the fire
to commence pending the deployment, he will give an
12
178 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
order to that effect to the captains of the fmirth and
fifth companies, and the fire will be executed accord-
ing to the principles prescribed No. 438.
800. The battalion beinii; in double column and in
march, if the colonel shall wish to deploy it without
halting the column, he will cause three markers to
be posted on the line of battle, and when the head of
the column shall ari-ive near the markers, he will
command:
1. Deploy column. 2. Battalion, hy the right and left
flunks. 3. March (or double quick— 'March).
801. The colunm will deploy on the two leading
companies, according to the principles prescribed for
the deployment of a close e(»lunm. No. 533 and fol-
lowing; at the c()mmand inarch, the chef of the first
division will halt it, and the captains of the fourth
and fifth companies will align their companies by the
right.
802. If the column be in march, and it be the wish
of the citlonel to deploy the column and to continue to
march in the order of'battle, he will n. t cause mark-
ers to be established at the head of the c lumn. The
movement will be executod by the commands and
means indicated No. 800, observing what follows. At
the first command, the chief of the fiist division will
C(m)mand, Quick time. At the command march, the
first division will continue to march in quick time;
the colonel will command, Guide centre. The captains
of the fourth and fifth companies, the color, and the
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 179
men, will immediately conform to the principles of the
march in line of battle. The companies will take the
quick step by the command of their captains, as they
successively arrive in line. The movement comple-
ted, the colonel may cause the battalion to march
in double quick time.
To form the double column into line of battle, faced to
the right or left.
803. The double column, being at company distance
and at a halt, may be formed into line of battle faced
to the right or left ; when the colonel shall wish to
form it faced to the right, he will command:
1. Right into line wheel, left companies on the right
into line. 2. Battalion, guide right. 3. March
(or double quick — March).
804. At the first command, each captain will place
himself before the centre of his company; the right
companies uill be cautioned that they will have to
wheel to the right into line, the left companies that
they will have to march straight forward.
805. At the second command, the left guide of the
fourth company will place himself briskly on the di-
rection of the right guides of the column, face to them,
and opposite to one of the three last files of his com-
pany when in line of battle ; the lieutenant colonel will
assure him in that position.
806. At the command march, briskly repeated by
all the captains, the right companies will form to the
180 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART V.
right into line of battle, the left companies will put
themselves in march in order to form on the rii,dit in-
to line of battle; these formations will be executed by
the means indicated No. 391 and following, No. 416
and following ; the lieutenant colonel will assure the
guides of the left wing on the line of battle as tliey
successively come upon it.
807. If the column be in march, the colonel will
commaud :
1. Right into line ichccl. 2. Left companies, on the
right into line. 3. Battalion guide right. 4. March
(or double (/Mir/c— March).
808. At the first command, each cajttain will place
himself promptly before tlie centre of his company ;
the right companies will be cautioned that they will
have to wheel to the right, and the left companies
that they will have to form ou the right into line.
809. At the command march, briskly rejyeated, the
right C(mipani('s will form to tlie right into line, and
the left companies ou the right into line. These
formations will be executed as prescribed Nos. 402,
417, and following.
810. If the colonel should wish to move the battal-
ion forward, at the moment the right companies have
completed the wheel, he will command :
5. Forward. 6. March (or double quick — MarchJ.
J
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 181
811. At the command forward, the captains of the
right companies will command, Q^uick time. At the
command march, the riuht companies will cease to
wheel and march straight forward. The colonel will
then add:
7. Guide centre.
812. The movement of the left companies will be
executed in double quick time as prescribed above,
and as they arrive on the line each captain will cause
his company to march in quick time.
813. The column may be formed faced tb the left
into line of battle according to the same principles.
814. If the column be closed in mass instead of at
company distance, these movements will be executed
according to the principles prescribed Nos. 417, 502,
and 510.
Remark on the deployment of the double column.
815. The depth of the double column, at company
distance, being inconsiderable, closing it in mass, if
at a halt, in order to deploy it, may be dispensed
with ; but if it be in march, it will be preferable to
cause it so to close, in halting, before deploying.
816. The double column will be deployed habitual-
ly on the centre companies, but the colonel may some-
times deploy it on any interior company, or on the
first or eighth company.
182 school of the battalion— part v.
Article Fourteentil
Dispositions against Cavalry.
817. A battalion being in column hy company, at
full distance, right in front, and at a halt, when the
colonel shall wish to form it into square, he will first
cause divisions to be formed ; which being done, ho
will command :
1. To form square. 2. To half distance close column.
3. March (or double quick — Marciij,
818. At the command march, the column will close
to company distance, the second division, taking its
distance from the rear rank of the first division.
810. At the moment of halting the fourth division,
the file closers of each company of which it is com-
posed, passing by the outer flank of their companies
will place themselves tv^'o paces before the front rank
opposite to their respective places in liiie of battle,
and face towards the head of the column.
820. At the conunencement of the movement, the
major will place himself on the right of the c<)lumu
abreast with the first division ; the buglers formed
in two ranks will place themselves at plattion distance,
behind the inner platoons of the second division.
821. These dispositions being made, the colonel
may, according to circumstances, put the column in
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 183
march, or cause it to form square ; if be wish to do
the latter, he will command :
1. Form square. 2. Right and left into line, irheel.
822. At tiie first command, the lieutenant colonel,
facing to the left guides, and the major, iacing to those
of the right, will align them, from the front, an the
respective guides of the i'ourth division, who will
stand fast, holding up their pieces, inverted, perpen-
dicularly ; the riglit guides, in placing themselves on
the direction, will take their exiict distances.
823. At the second command, the chief of the first
division will caution it to stand fast ; all the captains
of the second and third divisions will place themselves
before the centres of their respective companies, and
caution them th;it they will have to wheel, the right
companies to the fight, and the left companies to the
left into line of battle.
824. The color-bearer will step back into the line
of file closers, opposite tt> his place in line of brittle,
and will be replaced by the C(u-poral of his file, who
is in the rear rank, the corporal of the same file who
is in the rank of file dosesrs will step into the rear
rank.
825. The chief of the fourth division will command :
1. Fourth dicision, forward ; 2. Guide /f/if, and place
himself at the same tin:ie two paces outside of its left
flauk.
184 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
826. These dispositions ended, the colonel will com-
mand :
March (or double quick — March).
827. At this command, biiskly repeated, the first
division will stand fast; bnt its riglit lile will face to
the right, and its left file, to the left.
828. The companies of the second and third divi-
sions will wheel to the right and left into line, and
the buglers will advance a space equal to the fnuit <if
a company.
829. The fourth division will close up to form the
square, and when it shall have closed, its chief will,
halt it, face it al>out, and align it by the rear rank
upon the guides of the division, who will, for this pur-
pose, remain faced to the front. The junior captain
will pass into the rear rank, now become the frwit,
and the covering sergeant of the left company will
place himself behind him in the front rank, become
rear. The file closers will, at the same time, close
up a pace on the front rank, and the outt'rfile on each
flank of the division will face outwards
830. The square being formed, the colonel will
command :
G«if/cs— Posts.
831. At this command, tlie chiefs of the first and
fourth divisions, as well as the guides, will enter the
square.
832. The captains whose companies have formed to
the right into line, will remain on the left of their com-
SCHOOL OF TEIE BATTALION— PART V. 185
]M;iies; the left guide of each of those companies
will, in the rear rank, cover his captain, and the cov-
ering sergeant of each will place himself us a file
closer beliind the right file of his company.
833. The field and staff will enter the square, the
lieutenant colonel placing himself behind the left, and
the major behind the right of the first division.
834. If the battalion present ten, instead of eight
companies, the fourth division will make the same
movements prescribed above for the second and third
divisions, and the fifth, the movements pi escribed for
the fourth division.
835. A battalion ought never to present, near the
enemy's cavalry, an odd company. The odd com-
pany, under that circumstance, ought, when the bat-
talion is under arms, to be consolidated, for the time,
with the other companies.
836. The fronts of the square will be designated as
follows : the first division will always be the Jirst
front ; the last division, the fourth front ; the right
companies of the other divisions will form the second
front ; and the left companies of the same divisions
the third front.
837. A battalion being in column by company, at
full distance, right in front, and in march, when the
coh)nel shall wish to form square, he will cause this
movement to be executed by the commands and means
indicated. No. 817.
838. At the command march, the column will close
to company distance, as is prescribed. No. 278. When
the chief of the fourth division shall command Quick
inarch, the file closers of this division will place them-
selves before the front rank.
]86 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART V.
839. The major and the buglers will conform to
what is prescribed, No. 82U.
840. If the colonel shall wish to form square, he
will command :
1. Form square. 2. Right and left into line, icheel.
3. March.
841. At the first command, the chief of the first
division w^ill caution it to halt; all the captains of the
second and third divisi(ms will nipidly place thenj-
selves before the centres of their respective compa-
nies, and caution them that they will have to wheel,
the right companies to the right, and the left compn-
nies to the lelt into line. The chief of the fourth di-
vision will caution it to cntinue its march, and will
hasten to its left flank. At the tliird command, ])risk-
ly repeated, the chief of the first division will halt
his divisi(»n and align it to the left, the outer files will
face to the right and left, the rest of the movement
will be executed as prescribed No. S'2S and following.
842. The lieutenant c(»lonel and the major, at the
command viarch, will conform to what is prescribed,,
No. 822.
843. If the battalion, before the square is formed,
be in dou])Ie colunm, the two heading companies
will forr.i flu' first front, the two rear cdinpanies
the fourth ; the other companies of tin? right lialf
battalion will form the second, and those of the left
half battalion the third front.
844. The first and fourth fronts will be command-
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART V. 187
ed by the chiefs of the first and fourth divisions ;
each of the other two by its senior captain.
845. The commander of each front will place him-
self four paces behind its present rear rank, and will
be replaced momentarily in the command of his
company by the next in rank therein
846. If the column be at full distance, instead of
at C(ui3pany distance, as has been supposed, the
square will be formed in the manner prescribed. No.
8J7 or 838, and following; and the dispositions indi-
cated, Nos. 819 and 820, will be executed at the
command form square.
847. If the column by division, whether double or
simple, be in mass, and thecohniel shill wish to form
it into square, he will first cause it to take company
distance ; to this etfect, he will command :
1. To form square. 2. By the head of column, take
half distance.
848. The divisions will take half distance by the
means indicated. No. 324, and following. What is
prescribed. No. 820, will be executed as the first and
second divisions are put in motion.
849. The colonel will halt the column the moment
the third division shall have its distance. As soon as
the column is halted, th.' dispositions indicated. No.
819, will be executed, and when these are com-
pleted, the colonel may proceed to form square.
183 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
850. If the column be in march, he will also, in
the first place, cause company distance to be taken,
and, for this purpose, will command :
1. To form square. 2. By the head of column, take
half distance. 3. MARCH (or double quick —
March)
851. This movement will be executed as prescrib-
ed, No. 330, and following. VVhat is prescribed. No.
820, will be executed as the first and second divi-
sions are put in motion.
852. The colonel will proceed to form square the
moment the third division shall have its distance ;
at th'^ command /o?v/i square, the dispositions indicat-
ed, No. 819, will be executed. If it be intended
merely to dispose the column for square, the colonel
will not halt the column until the last division has
its distance.
853. In a simple column, left in front, these sev-
eral movements will be executed according to the
same principles and by inverse means ; but the fronts
of the square will have the same designations as if
the right of the column were in front, that is, the
first division will constitute the first front, and thus
of the other subdivisions.
854. The battalion being formed into square, when
the colonel shall wish to cause it to advance a dis-
tance Iqss than thirty paces, he will command:
1. By (such) front, forward. 2. March.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 189
H55. If it be supposed that the advance be made
h\ the first front, the cliief of this front will com-
mand :
]. First division, forward. 2. Guide centre.
^')C}. The chief of the second front will face his
frdut to the left. The captains of the companies com-
})nsing this front will place themselves outside, and
on the right of their left guides, who will replace
tlieni in the front rank; the chief of the third front
will face his front to the right, and the captains in
this front will place themselves outside, and ou the
left of their covering sergeants: the chief of the fourth
front will fiice his front about, and command : 1.
Fourth division, forward. 2. Guide centre. The cap-
tain who is in the centre of the first front, will be
cliarged with the direction «if the march, and will re-
dilate himself by the means indicated in the school
v\ the company. No. 89.
^^.")7. At the command march, the square will put
itself in motion ; the companies marching by the flank
w ill be careful not to lose their distances. The chief
of the fourth division will cause his division to keep
constantly closed on the flanks of the second and
third fronts,
853. This movement will only be executed in quick
time.
859. The lieutenai.t coh»nel will place himself in
rear of the file of direction in order to regulate the
march.
190 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART V.
860. If the colonel should wish to halt the sc^uare,
he will command:
1. Battalion. 2. Halt.
801. At the second c<mimand, the square will
halt; the fourth front will face about immediately,
and without further connuand ; the second and third
fronts will face outwards; the captains t»f companies
will resume their places as in square.
862. In moving the square forward by the se-
cond, third, or fourth frctnts, the same rules will be
observed.
863. The battalion .being formed into square, when
the colonel shall wish to cause it to advance a greater
distance than thirty paces, he will command:
1. Form column.
864. The chief of the first front will command:
1. First division foruanl. 2. Guide left.
865. The commander of the fourth front will cau-
tion it to stand fast ; the commander of the second
front will cause it to face to the left, and then com-
mand, By company, hy file left. The commander of
the third fi-ont will cause it to face to the right, and
then command, By company, by file right. At the
moment the second and third fronts face to the left
and right, each captain will cause to break to the
rear the two leading files of his company.
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 191
866. These dispositions being made, the colonel
will command :
3. March (or double quick — March).
867. At this command, the first front will march
forward ; its chief will halt it when it shall have ad-
vanced a space equal to half its front, and align it by
the left.
868. The corresponding companies of the second
and third fronts will wheel by file to the left and
right, and march to meet each other behind the cen-
tre of the first division, and the moment they unite,
the captain of each company will halt his ct»mpany
and face it to the front. The division being re-form-
ed, its chief will align it by the left.
869. The commander of the fourth front will cause
it to fixce about : its file closers will remain before
the front rank.
870. The column being thus re-formed, the colonel
may put it in march by the commands and means pre-
scribed. No. 164, and following ; the right guides will
preserve company distance exactly as the directing
guides.
87J. When the colonel shall wish to re-form
square, he will give the commands indicated, No.
840.
872. To cause the square to march in retreat a
distance greater than thirty paces, the colonel will
first cause column to be formed as hidicated No.
863; and when formed, he will cause it to face by
the rear rank ; to this end, he will command:
1. To march in retreat. 2. Face by the rear rank.
3. Battalion, about— ¥ AC'S.
192 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
873. At the second command, the file closers of the
interior divisions will jtliice themselves, jmssing by
the outer flanks of their respective companies, be-
hind the front rank opposite to their places in line of
battle; the file closers of the other divisions will
stand fast.
874. At the third command, the battalion will face
about; each chief of division will place himself be-
fore its rear rank, become front, passing through
the interval between its two companies; the guides
will step into the rear rank, now frt>nt.
875. The column being thus ilisposed, the c(donel
may put it in march, or cause it to form square as if
it were faced by the front rank. The square being
formed, its fronts will preserve the same designations
they had when faced by the front rank.
• 876. The battalion being in s»]uare by the rear
rank, when the c(donel shall wish to nuirch it in re-
treat or in advance, a distance less than thirty paces,
he will conform to what is prescribed No. 854 and
following; otherwise, he will re-f<u-m the cdumn
according to the principles prescribed No. 8C3 by
marching forwaid the fourth front.
877. If the square is to be marched to the front a
distance gi-eater than thirty paces, the colonel will"
face the colunm by the front rank ; to this end, he
will command :
1. To inarch in advance. 2. Face by the front rank ^
3. Battalion about — Face.
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 193
878. Wbicli will be executed as prescribed No. 873
and folbtwing.
879. If the c<»linnii be iiiarcbing in advance, and
the cftlonel shall wish to march it in retreat, he will
command:
1. To march in retreat. 2. Battalion right about .
3. M\RCH (ov double quick — March).
880. At the second command, the file closers of
the second and third divisions will place themselves
rapidly before the front rank of their respective di-
visions. At the command march, the column will
face about and move olf to the rear; the chiefs of di-
visions and the guides will conform to what is pre
scribed No. 874.
881. If the column be marching iu retreat, and
the colonel shall wish to march it in advance, he
will command :
1. To march iu advance. 2. Battalion right about.
3. March (or double quick — Marchj.
882. .At the second command, the file closers of
the second and third divisions will place them.selves
before the rear rank of their respective divisions; at
the third, the column will f ice by the front rank.
To reduce the square.
883. The colonel, wishing to bn-ak the square, will
command :
1. Reduce square. 2. March (oi- double quick —
March).
j3
194 SCHOOL OF TIIC BATTALION— PART V.
884. This movement will be executed in the iiinn-
ner iiidieatetl, No. Siy^ and fdllimiiifr; but the file
closers of the fourth fi-ont will plac*' themselves be-
hind the rear rank the mitui nt it faces about; the
field and staff, the color-bearer and buglers, will, jit
the same time, return to their places in column.
To form square from line of battle.
885. A battalion dejiloyed, may be formed into
square in a direction either parallel or per[)endicular
t^ the line of battle.
886. In the first case, the colonel will cause the
battalion to break by division to the rear, by the
right or left, and then close the column to half dis-
tance, as indicated, No. 817, and foUowing.
887. In the second case, he will ploy the battalion
into simple column by division at half distance in
rear of the right or left division, or into column
doubled on the centre.
888. To ploy the battalion into colunm upon one of
the llauk divisions, the colonel will command :
1. To form square. 2. Column at half distance by
division. 15. On the first (iw fourth) division. 4.
Battalion right for hft)—¥\CE. 5. Makch (or
dotUile (juicL — March).
889. This movement will be executed according
to the principles prescribed N(». 1 19 and following.
891). If tbe battalion be marchin/ in line of battle,
and the colonel shall wish to form square in a direc-
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 195
tion perpendicular to the line of battle, he will coin-
ingnd :
1. To form square. 2. On the first (or fourth)
division, form column. 3. Battalion by the right
Cor left) flank. 4. MARCH (or double quick —
March).
891. This movement will be executed according
to the principles prescribed for ploying a column by
division at half distance, No. J 50. The chief of the
first division will halt his divisiou at the command
march.
H9'2. To ploy the battalion into double column, the
colonel will command:
1. To form square. 2. Double column at half dis-
tance. 3. Battalion inwards — Face. 4. March
(or double quick — March).
893. This movement will be executed as prescrib-
ed No. 778 and following.
894. The battalion being in march, to ploy it into
double column to form square, the colonel will com-
^ mand :
1. To form square. 2. Form double column. 3.
Battalion by the right and left flanks. 4. March
(or double quick — March).
895. This movement will be executed as pre-
scribed No. 788. The chief of the leading division
will halt his divisiou at the command march.
19G SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
Ohsertations relative to the formation of sfjuarcs iu
two ran lis.
890. When tlio colonel shall judge it proper to have
a reserve, this reserve, in a column of three divisions
will be formed of the inner platoons of the second
division. The second division will, in this case close,
to platoon distance on the first division. When the
square is formed, the reserve platoons will ui»»ve
forward a distance nearly equal to a platoon frojit.
897. In re-forn'iing column, the first division will
move forward platoon, instead of company distance.
898. If the colunu) he formed of four divisions, the
inner platoons of tlie third divisi(ui will compose tlie
reserve; then, in re-forming column, the first divi-
sion will conform to the general rule, ancl the ehief
of the third, as suon as his di\*ision is formed, will
close it to ])latoon distance on the seeond division.
The colonel may, if necessary, form tlie reserve < f
the entire third division. In this case the mtivement
will be executed in the following manner
899. If the column be at full distance, when it shall
close at the (;ouimand to form sfjitare, to lialf dis-
tance, the chief of the third division will cause four
files to break tt> the rear from the right and left of
his division ; the guides will cl(»se upon the outer
files romaining in line, and the left guide will nuirch
exactly in the trace of the file innnediately in front
of hiul. This division will then close in niass on the
second division; and the chief of the fourth division
will cU)se to half distance on the same division.
SCHOOL OF TIIK BATTALION— PART V. 197
900. At the command form square, the chief of the
reserve division will couuuaiid, 1. Third division,
forward. 2. Guide centre; at tliis command, the
guides on the flanks will fall into the line of file
closers. At the command march, the reserve will
move forward the distance of a company front.
When halted, its chief will cause the pLatoons to
be doubled, and for this purpose will command:
1. On the centre double platoons. 2. MARCH.
901. At the first command, the chiefs of platoon
will place themselves in front of the centre of their
respective plato(»ns; the chief of each outer platoon
will face his platoon towards the centre, and cause
to break to the rear two files from the left or right.
At the c<>mmand march, the outer platoons will
direct their march so as to double on the centre
platoon at the distance of four paces; their chiefs
will align these outer platoons on the centre, and
the files previously broken to the rear will come into
line.
902. If the column be at half, instead of full dis-
tance, the colonel before forming square will order
the chiefs of the third and fourth divisions to move
forward their divisions as prescribed No. 899.
903. If the column be closed in mass, at the com-
mand to form square, the chief of the third division
will bleak four files to the rear IVom each of the
flanks as prescribed No. 899.
904. The colonel will halt the coluuin as soon as
the second division shall have gained its distance.
198 SCirX L OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
905. If the colonel sliall wish the colniun to con-
tinue marching at the command, hy the head of
column take half {liatance, the chief (»f the reserve
division will give his cautionary commands in suffi-
cient time to place his division in motion simulta-
neously with the one which precedes it. The chief
of the fourth division will ^ive the command march
at the instant there is company distance between his
division and the second.
906. When the C(»lonel shall wish to re-form the
column, at the conmiand/orm columv, the chief of
the third division will command, Form dirision ; at
this command, the chiefs of the outer platoons which
have doubled in rear of the centre ])latoons, will give
the commands and make the preparatory movements
for deploying on the centre platoons, which will
be executed at the command march given by the
colonel and briskly repeated by the chief of this di-
vision. The division being re-formed, the cliiefs of
the outer platoons will retake their places in column,
and the chief of this division will again cause four
tiles from each of its flanks to break to the rear.
907. If before the formation of the square, the
column had been left in front, it would be lormed by
the same comnuinds and according to the same prin-
ciples. Tlie second division, in this case, would
form the reserve.
908. The column being formed, if the colonel
should wish to nuirch it in retreat he will face it
by the rear rank The files of the third division
broken off to the rear, will face about with the
sen '<'L OV THE BATTALION— PART V. 19D
biittalioii, iind when the column is put in motion
will march in front of the rear rank. But should the
colonel wish to re-form the square, he will cause the
battalion to face by the front rank.
9!t9. If the battalion be in line, instead of in col-
umn, the chief (»f the reserve division will bring
it into column in such manner that there may be a
distance of only four paces between this division and
the one which is to be immediately in front of it ;
and when this division is halted and aligned, its
chief will cause the usual number of files to be broken
to the rear. The chief of the division which should
occupy in column a position immediately in rear of
the reserve division ^vill, on entering the column,
take a distance of twelve paces between it and the
.division establislied immediately in front of the re-
serve division.
Squares in four raji/is.
910. If the square formed in two ranks, according
to the preceding rules, should not be deemed suffi-
ciently strong, the colonel may cause the s<[uare to
be formed in four ranks.
911. The battalion being in column by company at
full distance, right in front, and at a halt, when the
colonel shall wish to form square in four ranks, he
will first cause divisicuis to be formed, which being
executed, he will command :
1. To form square in four ranks. 2. To half dis
tance, close column. 3. March (or double quick —
March).
200 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
912. At the first coimniuul, the chief of the first
division will caution the riglit coiiij)iuiy to jnce to
the left, and the left company to lace to the rijjht.
The chiefs of the (ttlier divisions will caution tlieir
divisions to move forward.
913. At the Ciuiiniand mdrch, the riyht company of
the first division will form into lour ranks on its left
file, and the left ctmpany into four ranks on its right
file. The foruiati(Mi <'nded, the cliief of this division
will align it by the left.
914. The other divisions will move forward and
double their files, marching; the right company of
each division will double on its left file, and the left
company on its right file. The formation completed,
each chief of division will connnand, Guide left.
Each chiel will halt his division when it shall have,
the distance of a company fnmt in four ranks from
the preceding one, counting from its rear rank, and
will align his division by the left. At the instant the
fourth division is halted, the file closers will move ra-
pidly before its front rank.
915. The cohmel will form square, re-form column,
and reduce square in fiuir ranks, by the same com-
mands and means as prescribed fitr a battalion in two
ranks.
910. If the square foinu'd in four ranks be reduc-
ed and at a halt, and the colonel shall wish to form
the battalion into two ranks, he will command:
1. In tiro raiihs, untlunhlc Jilcs. 2. Battalion out-
irards—VACE.. 3. Makch.
917. At the first command, the captains will step
before the centres of their respective companies, and
I
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 201
those on their right will Cciution them to face to the
right, and those on the left to face to the left.
91S. At the second command, the battalion will
face to the right and left. "
91'), At the command march, each company will
undonble its files and reform into two ranks as indi-
cated in the school of the company No. 37») and fol-
lowing. Each captain will halt his company and face
it to the front. The foruuition completed, each chief
of division will align his division by the left.
920. If the column be in march, with divisions
formed in four ranks, and the colonel shall wish to re-
form them into two ranks, he will Cfunmand:
J. Guide centre. 2. In ticn ranks, iindouhle files. 3
March.
921. The Ciiptain, placed in the centre of each di-
vision, will continue to march straight to the front,
as will also the left file of the right company, and the
right file of the left conipany. Each company will
then be re-formed into two ranks, as prescribed in
the school of the company.
92"2. The battalion being formed into two ranks,
the colonel will command, Guide left (or right.)
92:1 To form square in four ranks on (uie of the
flunk divisions, the colonel will command :
1. To form square, in four ranks. 2. Column at half
distance, by division. 3. On the first (or fourth)
division. 4. Battalion, right [or /e/f] — Facr. 5^
March (or double quick— March).
20-2 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V,
924. At the second command, each chief of division
will place himself before the centre of his division,
and caution it to face to the riyht.
925. At the fourth conmiand, the right guide of the
first division will remain faced to the front, the bat-
talion will face to the right.
920. At the command mnrch, the first file (»f four
men of the first division \\\\\ face to tlio front remain-
ing doubled. All the otlier files of four nu^n will
step off together, and each in successimi will close up
to its proper distance on the file ])n'f'e<ling it, and
face to the front, remaining doubled. Wlicn tlio last
file shall have closed, the chief of division will com-
mand, l.efi — Dress.
927. The other divisions will ploy into column in
the same manner as with a battalion in two ranks,
observing what follows: the chiefs of division, in-
stead of allowing their divisions to file past tliem on
entering the column, will contiiuie to lead them, and
as each division shall arrive on a line with the right
guide of the first division, its chief will halt the rijzht
guide, who will iunnediately face to the frcuit ; the first
file of four men will also halt at the sauu? time and
face to the front, remaining doubled. The second file
will close (»n the first, and when closed, halt, and face
to rhc fi-i.nt, remaining doubled. All the otln-r files
will execute successively what has just been pre-
scribed fi)r the second. When the last file shall
have closed, the chief of division will couunand,
Le/i Dress.
SCHOOL I F THE BATTALION— PART V. 203
928. If the battalion be in march, the colonel will
command :
1. To form square, in four ranks, 2. On the first di-
vision, form column. 3. Battalion, by the right
flank. 4. March [or double quick— Marcu.'\
929. At the second command, each chief of divi-
si(m will step in front of the centre of his division
and cantion it to face by the right flank. The chief
of the first division will caution his covering sergeant
to halt, and remain faced to the front.
930. At the command march, the battalion will face
to the right; the covering sergeant of the first divi-
sion will halt and remain faced to the front, the first
division will then form into four ranks as heretofore
prescribed. The other divisions will ploy into column
in the same manner as if the movement had taken
place from a halt.
931. If the colonel should wish to form a perpen-
dicular square in four ranks, by double column, he
will command:
1. To form square, in four ranks. 2. Double column,
at half distance. 3. Battalion innards — FACE. 4.
March [or double quick— ^Iarch^.
933. At the second command, the captains of com-
panies will place themselves before the centres of
their respective companies, and caution those on the
right to face to the left, and those on the left to face
to the right. Tlie captain of the fifth company will
caution his covering sergeant to stand fast.
204 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
933. At the tliird command, the battalion will face
to the left and right; at the comniand viarch, the left
file of the fonrth, and the right file of the fifth com-
pany, will face to the front, remaining donbled. The
fourth company will close successively by file of fours
on the left file, and the fifth company, in like manner,
on the right file; the files will face to the front, re-
maining doubled. The formation completed, the chief
of division will command. Right dress. The junior
captain will place himself in the interval between
the two companies.
934. The other companies will close as prescribed'
for the double column in two ranks, observing what
follows: each captain will halt the leading guide of
his company the moment the head of his company ar-
rives on a line with the centre of the ccdumn. In the
right companies, the left guides will step into the line
of file closers, and the left file of four nu'u will face
immediately to rhe front, remaining doubled, and by
the side of the right guide of the left company. The
companies will each form into four ranks, as pre-
scribed No. 92(5, the right c<mi])anies on the left file,
and the left companies on the right file. The forma-
tion com]>leted, the junior captain will jjjace himself
betvs'een the two companies, and the senior will com-
mand, Right dvess.
935. If the battalion be in march, the colonel will
command :
205
double
'Jan/is.
1 place
? com-
lem to
ice by
npany
Qd re-
el fifth
to the
1 com-
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n was
en the
e will
t colo-
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before
le left,
, face
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-^v.^.r^^==?==;>^
SCH OL OF THE BATTALU 'N— PAIJT V.
1. To form square, in four ranks. 2 Form double
column. 3. Battalion by the right and left flanks.
4. March (or double quick — Mauch).
936. At the second command, the captains will place
themselves before the centres of their respective com-
panies, and those on the rig:ht will caution them to
lace by the left flank, and those on the left to face by
the right flank ; the captain of the fifth company
will caution his covering sergeant to halt, and re-
main faced to the front.
937. At the command march, the fourth and fifth
companies will halt. The battalion Avill face to the
left and right; the covering sei-geant of the fifth com-
pany will halt and renij'.in faced to the front, the move-
ment will then be executed as if the battalion was
at a halt.
Oblique squares.
938. The battalion being in line of battle, when the
colonel shall wish to form the oblique square, he will
command :
1. To form oblique square. 2. On the first division
form column.
939. At the second conunand, the lieutenant colo-
nel will trace the alignment of the first division in
the following manner : he will place hiujself before
and near the right file of this division, face to the left,
march twelve paces along the front rank, halt, face
to the right; march twelve paces perpendicularly to
206 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION-PART V.
the front, halt agii in, face to the right, and immedi-
ately phice a marker at this puint. The covering ser-
geant of the right comi)any will step, at the name
time, before its right tile, face to the left, and conform
the line of his shoulders to that of the shoulders of the
marker established by the lieutenant cohmel. These
two markers being established, the lieutenant colo-
nel will place a third marker on the same alignment,
at the point where the left of the division w ill halt.
940. The chiefs of division will place themselves in
front of the centres of their divisions ; the chief of the
first division will immediately establish it by a wheel
to the right (tn a fixed pivot, against the nuirkers>
and align it by the left. The chiefs of the other divi-
sions will caution them to face to the right. The colo-
nel will then command :
3. Battalion right— Vace. 4. March (or double
quick — Mauch.)
941. The three rear divisicms will direct their
march so as to place themselves at half distance from
each other, and in the rear of tht; first division, as
previously indicated, observing what foUows :
942. The chief of the second divisicm, instead of
breaking the headmost files to the rear, will break
them to the front, and at the command march, will
conducthis division towanls the point of entrance into
the column. Arrived at this point, he will halt in his
own person, cause his division to wheel by file to the
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION -PART V. 207
right, instructing the right guide to direct himself
parallelly to the first division ; and as so<tn as the left
file has passed, its chief will halt the division, and
align it by the left. The other divisions will break to
the rear, but slighily; each will enter the column as
prescribed for the second, and the moment the bat-
talion is ployed into column, the colonel will cause
it to form square.
943. The formation of a battalion into oblique
square on the left division, will be executed iiccord-
ing to the same principles and by inverse means.
944. Should the battalion be in march, the colonel
will first cause it to halt.
945. In the preceding example, the battalion was
supposed to be deploye.i ; but if it be already formed
in column, the desired obliquity will be established
by causing it to change direction by the flank ; to
this end, the colonel will command:
1. To form oblique square. 2. Change direction by
the right (or left) flank.
946. At the second command, the lieutenant colonel
will trace the new direction in the following manner;
he will place before the right and left files of the head-
most division, two markers, and a third on the pro-
longation of the first two, on the side of the change of
direction, and at twelve paces from the flank of the
column. He will then place himself before the third
marker, march twelve paces perpendicularly to the
2 S HCIIOOL nr THE llATTALIUN— PART V.
front, h.ilt, ;nul rini-;h trjicing the now (lirecti<ni in tlic
maniu'r iiivlicutcd, No. 9;}!).
947. The C('I:)ii<'l will theji coinniaiiJ :
2. Battalion right (ov left) — Face. 4. March (or
double quick — MaRCII).
948. The change of direction having been executed,
the colonel will cause the square to be formed.
949. Should the column b(; in n^arcb, the cnlunel
will first cause it to halt.
950. Oblique s(iuares in four ranlvs, will lie execu-
ted by the same means, and according to the princi-
ples prescribed for the formation of squares in four
ranks.
955. Whether the Itattalion be ployed into simple
or doulile (v-liiiu!!, the particular dispositions for the
formation of the scpuire will be executed as pre
scribed No. «l9aiid following. The division which is
to form the reai* of the column, will be closed in mass,
and as soon as it is aligned, the major will rectify the
position of the guides on the side of the column op-
posite to tlic direction.
952. If it be f he wisli of the colonel merely to pre
pare for s<piare, he will in all formations with that
view substitute the comma ml prepare for square in
place of /o /or/// sr/Hr/rr, and in that case, the last di-
vision will enter the colunui atcomi)any distance.
Remarks on the formation of squares.
953 It is H general principle that a ccdumu by com-
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 209
pauy, whicft is to be formed into sqiuare, will first
form divisions, and close to half distance. Neverthe-
less, if it find itself suddenly threatened by cavalry
without sufficient time to form divisions, the colonel
will cause the column to ck^se to platoon distance and
then form square by the commands and means which
have been indicated ; the leading and rearmost com-
panies will conform themselves to ^^ hat has been pre-
scribed for divisions in those positions. The other
companies will form by platoon to the right and left
into line of battle, and each chief of platoon, after
having hiilted it, will place himself on the line, as if
the platoon were a company, and he will be covered
by the guide in the rear rank.
954. A battalion in column at full distance, having
to form square, will always close'on the leading sub-
division; and a column closed in mass, will always,
for the same purpose, take distances by the head.
In either case, the second subdivision should be care-
ful, in taking its distance, to reckon from the rear
rank of the subdivision in front of it.
955. If a column by company should be required
to form square in four ranks, the doubling of files will
always take place ou the file next the guide.
956. When a column, disposed to form square, shall
be in march, it will change direction as a column at
half distance ; thus, having to execute this movement,
the column will take the guide on the side oppfisit©
to that to which the change of direction is to be made,,
if that be not already the side of the guide.
957. A column doubled ou the centre at company
510 SCH ) L OF THE BATTALI N— PART V.
distance or closed in mass, may be formed into square
according to the same principles as a simple coliiniu.
-^58. When a battalion is ployed, with a view to the
square, 'it will always be in rear of the right or left
. division, in order that it ^lay i>e able to commence
'firing, pending the execution of the movement. The
double column, also, aifords this advantnge, and being
more promptly formed than any other, it will habitu-
ally be emphtyed, unless particular circumstances
cause a diti'ereut-formatioa to be preferred.
959. A battalion, in square, will never use any other
than the fire by file and by rank; the c<dor being iu
the line of file closers, its guard will n(»t fall back as
prescribed No. 41 ; it will fire like the ■'meu of t^o
company of which it forms a part.
960. If the square be formed in four ranks, tlie
, first two ranks will alone execute the firings pre-
' ^cjibed above ; the other two ranks will remaiu either
at shoulder or support arms.
.,9,GI. The formation of the square being often ne-
.Cj^ssary in war, and being the most complicated of the
xriaii^oeuvres, it will be as frequently repeated as the
i.!sjupposed necessity may require, in order to render
litis i}i.ec)^ir^usm familiar to both officers and men.
lt>02. ;In fh.e execution of this manosuvre, the colu-
< \Y{iU Cf^VJfvfuIly observe that the divers movements
■'HI iitiiii,v({'lY.^s succetjd each other without loss of
^\ Si(f;j/|l^p\y{ithout confusion ; for, if the rapidity
y^ , "^ iWRV^FTJ^'^'ts requires the greatest prompti-
f ^pHVulv ^WJfV^i'^*'- <'^' squares, so, on the other
? Ae in the ^ w" alwf^ys results in disorder, and in
wnu\ pvecipit^. V^lSBo^j^^r *<tore to be avoided.
no circumstance -
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SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 211
963. When the colonel shall wish to cover by
skirmishers the movements of a column preparing to
form square, he will detach for this purpose one or
two inner platoons of one of the interior divisions of
the column. In this case, the exterior platoons of
this division and the following subdivisions, will, ac-
cording to circumstances, close on the preceding sub-
division, in such manner, that there may be between
them only the distance necessary for forming into
line.
964. When the colonel shall be ready to form
square, he will, in order to recall the skirmishers,
cause to the color to be sounded. If on the return
of the skirmishers, there be not room for them to
form into line of battle, they will double on the outer
platoons of their respective companies.
Column against cavalry.
965. When a column closed in mass has to form
square, it will begin by taking company distance;
but if so sud euly threatened by cavalry as not to
allow time for this disposition, it will be formed in
the following manner :
966. The colonel will command;
]. Column against cavalry. 2. MARCH.
967. At the first command, the chief of the leading
division will caution it to stand fast and pass behind
the rrar rank ; in the interior divisions each cap-
tain will promply designate the number of files ne-
212 SCHOaL '-F THE KATTALI N— PART V.
cessary to close tbo interval between bii>i company and
tbe one in front of it. Tbe captains of the divisions
next to the one in rear, in addition to cbysing the
interval in front, will also close up tbe interval which
separates this division fi-oni tbe last ; the chief of the
fourth division will caution it to face about, and its
file closers will pass briskly before tbe front rank.
968. At tbe command, march, the guides of each
division will place themselves rapidly in tbe line of
tile closers. Tbe first division will stand fast, tbe
fourth will face about, tbe outer file of each ot these
divisions will then fiice outwards ; in tbe other divi-
sions the files designated tor cU)sing the intervals will
form to the right and left into line, but in tbe divi-
sion next to the rearmost one, tbe first files that
come into line will close to tbe right or lelt until
they join the rear division. Tbe files of each com-
pany w^hich remain in column will close on their outer
files, formed into line, in order to create a vacant
spiice in tbe middle of the column.
900. If the column be in march, the co/wH/n against
cavalry will be formed by the same commands and
means. At the command march, tbe first and fourth
divisions will bait and the latter division will face
about; tbe interior divisions will conform to what
has been pi'escribed above.
970. Tbe battalion being no longer threatened by
cavalry, tbe colonel will conunand :
1. Form column. 2, March.
971. At the command march, th«; files in column
will close to the left and right to make loom for those
SCH » L OF THE BATTALION— PART V. 213
in line who will retake their places in column by
stepping backwards, except those closing the interval
between the two rear divisions, who will take their
places in column by a flank movement. The fourth
division will face about, the guides will resume their
places.
972. If the colonel should be so pressed as not to
have time to order bayonets to be fixed, the men
will fix them, without command or signal, at the
cautionary command, column against cavalry.
973. As this manoeuvre is often used in war, and
with decided advantage, the colonel will frequently
cause it to le executed in order to render it familiar.
Article Fifteenth.
■The Rally.
974. The battalion being in line of battle, the col-
onel will sometimes cause the disperse to be sounded,
at which signal, the battalion will break and dis-
perse.
975. When the colonel shall wish to rally the bat-
talion, he will cause to the color to be sounded, and
at the same time place two markers and the color-
bearer iu the direction he may wish to give the bat-
talion.
976. Each captain will rally his company about
six paces in rear of the place it is to occupy in
line of battle.
977. The colonel will cause the color-company to
be promptly established against the markers, and
214 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION— PART V.
each company by the command of its captnin will
be aligned on the color-compnny according to the
principles heretofore prescribed.
978. When the colonel shiill wish to rally the bat-
talion in column, he will cause the assembly to be
sounded, and place two markers before the position
to be occupied by the first company ; the captain of
this company will rally his cimipany in rear of the
two markers, and each of the other captains will
rally his company at platoon distance, behind the
one which should precede it in the order in column.
Article Sixteenth.
Rules for manauvring by the rear rank.
979. It may often be necessary to cause a battal-
ion to manoeuvre by the rear rank; when the case
presents itself, the following rules will be observed.
980. The battalion being by the front rank, when
the colonel shall wish to manoeuvre by the rear rank,
he will command :
1. Face by the rear rank. 2. Battalion. 3. About
— Face.
981. If the battalion be deployed, this movement
will be executed as has been indicated for the fire by
the rear rank.
982. If the battalion be in column by company, or
by platoon, right or left in front, the chiefs of subdi-
vision, to take their new places in column, will each
gCMOOL OP THE BArrALlON^PAUT V. 215
pass by the left flank of his subdivision, and the file
closers by the right flank ; the guides will place
themselves in the rear rank,
933. If the column be formed by division, the
chiefs of divisi(m will each pass by the interval in
the centre of his division, and the file closers by the
outer flanks of their respective companies ; the junior
captain in each division will step into the rear rank,
and be covered in the front rank by the covering ser-
geant of the left company.
984. The lieutenant colonel will place himself
abreast with the leading subdivision, and the major
abreast with the rearmost one.
985. The battalion being faced by the rear rank,
companies, divisions, and wings, will preserve their
prior denominations respectively.
986. The manoeuvres by the rear rank will be ex-
ecuted by the s;inie commands and «in the same prin-
ciples as if the battalion faced by the front rank ; but
in such manner that when the battalion shall be
brought to its proper front, all the subdivisions may
find themselves in their regular order from right to
left.
987. According to this principle, when a column
faced by the rear rank is deployed, the subdivisions
which, in line of battle by the front rank, ought to
find themselves on the right of the subdivision on
which the deployment is made, will face to the left;
and ihose which ought to be placed on its left, will
face to the right.
988. When a battalion in line of battle, faced by
the rear rank, is to be ployed into column, the col-
onel will announce, in tlie commands, left or right in
front, according^as it may be intended that the first
•216 SBHOOL OF THE BATTALION- PART V.
or last subdivision shall be at the head of thecolunni,
because the first subdivision is on the left, and the
last on the riyht of the battalion faced by the rear
rank. The column by the rear rank will take the
guide to tlie right, if the first subdivision be in front,
and to the left in the reverse case.
989. A column, faced by the rear rank, will bo
brought to its proper front by the means heretofore
prescribed. If the column be formed by company,
or by platoon, the chiefs of subdivision, in order to
take their new places in column, will pass by the
left of subdivisions, now right, and the file closers by
the right, now left.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION,
ARRANGED INTO LESSONS.
Lesson First.
Article I. - Open ranks, No. 23.
Article II. — Close ranks, No. 29.
Article III — Manual of arms, No. 30. Loading at
will, No. 31.
Article IV. — Different fires, by the front rank, No.
39, and by the rear rank, No. 54.
Lesson Second.
Article I. — Break by company to the right. No. 69 or
to the left, No. 74.
Article II. — March in column at the cadenced step,
a considerable distance. No. 164. Change of di-
rection. No. 231. Diminish and increase front in
marching, No. 196. March in retreat, No. 170.
218 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
Article III. — Halt the column, No. 239. Form it
to the left or right into line of battle, No. 390.
Execute this formation, the column marching, No.
402.
Article /F.— Execute the countermarch, and repeat
the same movements, No. 351.
Article F.— Form column into line of battle, to the
right or left, by inversion. No. 407.
Lesson Third.
Article I. — Break by company to the rear by the
right or left, the battalion being at a halt, No. 87,
or marching, No, 94.
Article II. — March in the route step, No. 198. Cause
to be executed, at this gait and in double quick
time, the divers movements incident to the column ■
in route, and cause the cadenced step to be re-
sumed.
Article HI. — Form the column forward into line of
battle, Nos. 440, 452, faced to the rear into line of
battle, Nos. 460, 480, the battalion being at a halt,
or marching. Ftirm the column forward into line,
and continue the inarch in this order, No. 450.
Article IV. — Form the column on the right. No. 416,
or the left, No. 432, into line of battle.
Article V. — March by tlie flank, No. 722, and form
conjpanies into line, marching.
Article VI. — The column supposed to arrive before,
No. 175, or behind the line of battle, No. 184, to
prolong it on that line,
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION. 219
Article VII. — Change front forward, No. 743, or in
rear, No. 760, on the right or left of companies, in
directions perpendicular or (ibllque.
Article r///.— March by the right flank, No. 722, or
by the left flank, N<t. 725. Change direction by file.
No. 730. Form the battali<m into line of battle,
on the right or left, by file, No. 735.
Article IK. — 'Pass the defile in retreat by the right,
No. 709, or by the left flank, No. 720.
Lesson Fourth.
Article I. — Break by division to the rear, by the right
or left, the battalion being at a halt or marching,
No. 102.
Article 11. — March in column by division, No. 161.
Diminish and increase front by company, No. 196.
Article HI. — Close the column to half distance on the
headmost or the rearmost division, No. 27d.
Article IV. — March in column at half distance, No.
281, and change direction, No. 287.
Article V. — The column being at half distance, to
form square at a halt, No. 8J7, or marching, No.
837.
Article VI. — The battalion being in square to march
to the front. No. 854. Halt the square, No. 860.
Form column to march to the front, No. 863, or in
retreat, JS'o. 872. Ee-form the square, No. 875.
Article VII. — Reduce the square. No. 883.
220 SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
Article VIII. — Close the column in mass on the head-
most or rearmost division, No. 279.
Article IX. — March in column closed in mass, and
change direction by the front of subdivisions. No\
288.
Article X. — Form the column against cavalry, No.
9G6.
Article XL — Take distances by the head, No. 323 and
33(>, or on rear of the column, No. 333, the column
being at a halt or marching.
Article XII. — The column being by company, cause
to be executed the movements indicated in Nos 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this lesson. The column
being at half distance, or closed in mass, to form to
the left or right, into line, wheel, on the rear of the
column, No. 502.
Article XIII. — The column being by company, form
divisions from a halt. No. 3G1, or in march. No.
376.
Article XIV. — The column being by division, to form
it to the left or right into line of battle at a halt,
No. 401, or in march, No. 402.
Lesson Fifth.
Article I. — The battalion being in line of battle, am
at a halt, to ploy it by division into column closed,
in mass on the right division, No. 119, or on the
left division, No 141, or on an interior divisi(m,Noj
143, the right or left in front. Ploy the battalioi
marching in line of battle on the right or left divW
sion, No. 149.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION. 221
Article- II. — Execute the countermarch, No. 352.
Article ///.—Change direction to the right, No. 307,
to the left. No. 313, by the flank of the column.
Article IV. — Deploy the C(»luran on the right division,
No. 514, on the left division, No. 541, or on any in-
terior division, the column being at a halt, or
marching. No. 563.
Article V. — Ploy the battalion into column by divi-
sion at half distance marching. No. 556.
Article VI. — Ploy the battalion by company, closed in
mass, and form it on the right or left into line of
battle. No. 577.
Article VII. — Ploy the battalion into double column,
at half distance. No. 777, or closed in mass, No.
793, the battalion being at a halt, or marching.
Article VIII. — March in this order, and change direc-
tion. No. 794.
Article IX. — Deploy the column at a halt, No. 796, or
marching. No. SbO, and without suspending the
march. No. 802.
Article X. — The double column being at half dis-
tance, form it into line of b;ittle fa<;ed to the right
or left, No. 803, the column being in march. No. 8('7.
Execute the same movement without suspending
the march, No. 810.
22S SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
Article X/.— Perpendicular or parallel squares, the
battalion being deployed, Nos. 889, 895. Oblique
squares, the battalion being in line of battle, No.
938, or in column, No. 945. Squares in lour ranks
No. 911.
Lesson Sixth.
Article /.—March in line of battle. No. 587. Halt
the battalion, No. G35, and align it, No. H40.
Article II. — Change direction in line of battle, ad-
vancing, No. 652, or in retreat, No. 081. Execute
passage of obstacles, No. 682.
Article III. — Oblique march in lino of battle, No,
623,
Article IV. — Disperse and rally the "battalion in line
of battle, No. 974, and rally the battalion in .col-
umn by company, No. 978.
REMARKS
ON THE SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION,
In every course of instruction, the first lesson will
be executed several times in the order in which it is
arranged ; but as soon as the battalion shall be con-
SCiiO'OL 'OF 'i'HE BATTALION. 233
firiiied in the principles of the lesson, the fires will
be executed alter the advance in line, and after the
various torniations into line of battle, and into square.
Particular attention will be given to the tire by file,
which is that principally used in war.
Every lesson of this school will be executed with
the utmost precision ; but the second, which com-
prehends the march in column, and the march in line
of battle, being of the most importance, will be the
oftenest repeated, especially in the beginning.
Great attention ought, also, to be given to the
fourth lesson, which comprehends the march in coU
luaun by division, and the dispositions against cavalry.
The successive formations will sometimes be exe-
icuted by inversion.
In the beginning, the march in column, the march
,iu liue of battle, and the march by the flank, will be
executed only in quick time, and will be continued
■until the battalion shall have become well estaDlished
in the cadence of this step.
T.he non->eadeneed step will be employed in this
rSChuoI only in the repetition of the movements in-
,cident to a column in route, or when great celerity
^ay be required.
■When it may be desired to give the men relief,
iirms may be supported, if at & halt, or marching by
the flank.
In marching by tbe front, aiius may be shifted to
the right shoulder ; but not in the march in line of
battle until the battalions shall be well instructed.
224 fi^CnOOLOF THE BATTALION.
After arms have been carried for sdine time on the
ri^ht shoulder, they may be shifted, in like manner,
to the left shoulder.
When a battalion is manceuvring, its movements
will be covered by skirmishers.
All the companies will be exercised, successively,
in this service.
When a battalion, instructed in this drill, shall be
required to manoeuvre in the evolutions of the line,
its movements will be regulated by the instructions
contained in the third volume of the Tactics for heavy
Infiintrv, approved bv the War Department, April
10th, 1835.
TABLE OP CONTENTS
Vol. IL
TITLE FOURTH.
SCHOOL OF THE BATTALION.
Page
Formation of the battalion , No. 1 , 5
Composition and march of the color-escort, No. 4, 5
Honors paid to the color, No. 11, 7
General rules and division of the school of the
battalion, No. 14, 7
PAET FIRST.
Article I. — To open and close ranks, No. 22,. 9
Article II.— Manual of arms. No. 30, 11
Article III — Loading at will, and the firings,
No. 31, 11
15
226
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PART SECOND.
Page.
Article I. — To break by company Ui the right,
No. 69. Break by company to the left, No. 74.
Break by division, No. 75. To break by com-
pany, marching, No. 84
battalion
Hum, No.
18
Article II. — Break to the rear by the right or
left of companies. No. 87. Break to the rear
by the right or left of companies, marching,
No. 94. Advance or retire l)y the right or left
of companies. No. 105. Advance or retire by
the right or left of companies, marching, No.
110. Advancing or retiring, by the right or
left of companies, to form line to the front,
No. 113 23
Article III. — rh)y the battalion into close col-
on the first division, No. 119. Ph)y the
into close colnmn on the fonrth divi-
141. Ploy the battalion into close
column on any interior division, No. 14:}. Bat-
talion l)eing in march, to ploy it into column on
the first division, No. 149 29
PART THIRD.
Article I. — March in colnmn at full distance.
No. 104. Colunm being in march, to execute
the about, No. 170. Culumu arriving in front
table of contents. 227
Page.
of the line of battle, to prolong it on this line,
No. 175. Cohimn arriving behind the line of
battle, to prolong it on this line, No. 184. Col-
umn arriving on the right or the left of the line
of bnttle, to prolong it on this line, No. 188.
Manner of prolonging a line by markers, No.
189 1 37
Article II. — Column in route. No. 198 48
Article III. — Change of direction in column at
full distance, No. 231 55
Article IV. — Halt the column, No. 239 57
Article V. — Close the column to half distance,
or in mass, No. 252. Close the column on the
eighth company. No. 267. Execute this move-
ment, marching, No. 273 60
Article YI. — March in column at half distance,
or closed in mass. No. 281 65
Article VII.— Change direction in column at
half distance. No. 287 66
Article VIII. — Change direction of a column
closed in mass, marching, No. 288. Change
direction of a column, closed in mass, from a
halt. No. 3U6, 67
Article IX. — Take distances by the head of the
column, No. 323. Take distances by the rear
of the" column. No. 333. Take distances on the
head of the column. No. 341 73
Article X. — Countermarch of a column at full
or half distance. No. 351. Countermarch of a
column closed iu mass, No. 352 79
228 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
Article XI. — Being in column by company,
closed in mass, to form divisions, No. 364. To
form divisions, marcliing, No. 37(5 81
PART FOURTH.
AuTiPf^E I. — Manner of determining the line of
battle, No. 389 87
Artici-E II. — To form a column, at full distance,
to the left into line of l)attle, No. 390. To form
a colunmtothe right into line of battle, No. 399.
A column being in march, to form it into line of
battle. No. 402. To form a column into line of
battle, and to move it forward, No. 403. By in-
version to the right oi" left into line of battle,
No. 407. Column at full distance, to form it on
the right or left into line of battle. No. 414.
Column at full distance, forward into line of
battle, No. 440. Forward into lin«; of battle,
marching. No. 452. Colunm at full distance,
faced to the rear into lint' of battle, No. 4()6.
Execute this movement, marching. No. 479... 87
Article III. — Formation in lino of battle by
two movements, No. 485 r.. 110
Article TV. — Different modes of forming col-
umn at half distance,, to the left or right, into
line of battle. No. 501 . By the rear of column,
left or right, into line, wheel, No. 503. Column
table of contents. 2q9
Page.
at half distance, on the right or left, into line.
No. 507. Cohiinn, at half distance, forward
into line. No. 5U8. Column, at half distance,
faced to the rear into line, No. 509 113
Article V. — Deployment of columns closed in
mass, No. 510. Deployment on the first divi-
sion, No. 5J4. To de])loy, whilst marching, on
the first divison. No. 532. To deploy without
halting the column, and to continue mai-ching,
No. 536. To deploy on the fourth division. No.
541 . To deploy, whilst marching, on the fourth
division, No, 556. To deploy on an interior di-
vision, No. 563. To deploy, whilst marching,
on an interior division. No. 567 116
PART FIFTH.
Article I. — To advance in line of battle, No. 587. 132
Article II. — Oblique march in line of battle,
No. 623 141
Article III. — To halt the battalion, marching
in line of battle, and to align it. No. 635 143
Article IV. — Change of direction in marching
in line of battle, No. 652 146
Article V. — To march in retreat in line of bat-
tle, No. 664 149
Article VI. — To halt the battalion, marching in
retreat, aiid to face it to the front, No. 676. . . 151
230 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Article VII. — Change of direction, in march-
ing in retreat, No. 681 152
Article VIII. — Passage of obstacles, advanc-
ing and retreating, No. 682 153
Article IX. — To pass a defile, in retreat, by the
right or left flank, No. 710 159
Article X.— To march by the flank. No. 722.. 162
Article XI. — To form fie baitilion on the right
or left, by file, into line .»f bat .'e, No. 735 164
ArticI;E XII. — Change of front perpendicnlarly
forwiird, No. 743. Change front forward on
the first company, marching, No. 754. Change
of front perpendicularly to the rear. No. 761.. 165
Article XIII. — To ploy the battnlion into col-
nnni, doubled on the centre, No. 776. To form
double column, marching, No. 787. Deployment
of the double colunm, faced to the front, No. 796.
Deployment of the double column marching,
No. 800. To form the double column into line
of battle, fact'd to tlie right or left, No. 803. To
form the double column into line of battle, fac-
ed to the right or left, marching, No. 807 172
Article XIV. — Dispositions against cavalry No.
817. A cobinni being in march at full distance,
to form square, No. 837. If the c(»lunm be closed
in mass, to make dispositions to form square No.-
847. The battalion being in square, to move it in
advance by one of its fronts. No. 854. To halt
J
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 231
Page.
the square, No. 860. The battalion being in
square, to form column to march to the front, a
distance greater than thirty paces, No.8G3. To
march the square in retreat a greater distance
than thirty paces, No. 872. The battalion being
in square, to march itin advance, or in retreat, a
distance less than thirty paces. No. 876. The
column marching to the front, to march it in re-
treat, No. 879. The column marching in retreat,
to march it to the front. No. 881 . To reduce the
square. No. 883. To form square from line of bat-
tle, No. 885. Perpendicular square. No. 888.
Perpendicular square, marching. No. 890. To
form square by double column. No. 892. To form
square by double column, marching, No. 894.
Observations relative to the formation of squares
in tvs^o ranks, No. 896. The column being
formed of four divisions, to place the inner pla-
toons of the thiid division in reserve. No. 898.
Squares in four ranks. No. 910. The square
formed in four ranks being reduced, and at a halt,
to^form the battalion into two'iranks. No. 916.
The column being in march with divisions form-
ed in four ranks, to re-form it into tv^^o ranks. No.
920. To form square in four ranks on one of the
flank divisions, No.' 923.'^ Form square in four
ranks on the first division, marching, No. 928.
Form perpendicular squaTe in four ranks, by
double column. No. 931. Fonn perpendicular
232 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page,
square in four ranks, by double column, march-
ing, No. 935. Oblique square. No. 938. Oblique
square, being in column. No, 945. Column
against cavalry, No. 985. The battalion being no
longer threatened by cavalry, to form column,
No.970 182
Article XY.— The rally, No. 974 213
Article XVI. — Rules for manoeuvring by the
rear rank, No. 979 214
THE END.
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